In late 2025, global conservation efforts culminated in a historic listing for all manta and devil ray species, effectively banning legal international trade to protect them from extinction. Atlantic manta ray: science confirms third species

: Their gill plates are highly valued in some international markets for traditional medicinal tonics, despite no scientific evidence of health benefits.

While they roam the open ocean, evidence suggests they have a higher degree of association with than the giant oceanic manta . In South Florida, for instance, juvenile Atlantic mantas have been observed forming "mobile ecosystems" by swimming with other fish species. Ecology and Behavior

: Because they frequent shallow coastal waters more than oceanic mantas, they are at higher risk for boat strikes and plastic pollution.

: They possess V-shaped white shoulder patches that taper toward the back, unlike the T-shaped, even-width markings of the giant oceanic manta.