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A traditional Chinese medicine shop sells manta ray gill plates. Demand for gill rakers is the largest driver for manta and mobula ray fisheries. Anecdotes gathered through investigations and literature searches suggest that gill rakers, which consist of thin filaments that manta and mobula rays use to filter food from the water column, can treat health issues ranging from chicken pox to cancer. Some practitioners claim that gill rakers, known in China as “Peng Yu Sai,” boost the immune system and help purify the body by reducing toxins and fever and enhancing blood circulation. Others claim that gill rakers will remedy throat and skin ailments, male kidney issues, and help couples with fertility problems. Photo: Paul Hilton / Earth Tree Images
- Copyright
- Paul Hilton for Earth Tree
- Image Size
- 4190x3121 / 6.1MB
- Keywords
- Contained in galleries
- Manta and Mobula Fisheries