Manta rays (魔鬼鱼) are some of the creatures in the ocean who allow divers to swim right up to and interact (互动) with them. Unfortunately, these gentle animals are in big trouble. Since 2011, manta rays have been listed as a threatened species worldwide.

Peru, a country in South America, recently took a big step to protect giant manta rays: It banned fishing for them. Although 12 other countries have passed laws to protect rays, Peru’s may be the most important one yet. That’s because there are more manta rays in the Pacific Ocean near Peru than in any other place in the world.

Giant manta rays are unusual-looking creatures. The giant, flat rays are typically about 4.5 meters wide and can grow up to 8 meters wide! “They’re sort of like giant flying carpets underwater,” says Joshua Stewart of the Manta Trust, an organization that researches manta rays.

People catch rays for their meat. Overfishing is bad for any sea creature, but it’s even worse for manta rays. Female manta rays usually have only one baby, every two to five years. So every ray that’s caught hurts the population in a big way. People who break Peru’s new law can be fined or have their fishing licenses taken away. Even rays caught accidentally in fishing nets must be set free.

Earlier this year, the Manta Trust attached video cameras, called Crittercams, to manta rays off the west coast of Mexico. The footage (连续镜头) the cameras collect could help researchers predict where rays swim and when. The scientists could use the information to warn fishing boats to avoid these areas, helping reduce the number of accidentally caught rays.

Stewart says it’s important to protect these unique creatures. “There’s really no other animal that compares in size that you can have interactions with in the wild.”

【小题1】What’s a characteristic of manta rays?

A．They can fly like a bird.	B．They are usually of small size.
C．They are very friendly to people.	D．They like swimming up and down.

【小题2】What’s the current situation of manta rays?

A．Their habitats are badly damaged.	B．They only live in the Pacific Ocean.
C．Their number has dropped greatly.	D．Fewer and fewer female rays give birth.

【小题3】Apart from doing research on manta rays, the Manta Trust is also trying to ________.

A．protect them	B．look for more rays
C．make films about them	D．reduce their population

【小题4】How does Stewart feel about Peru’s new law?

A．It makes no sense.	B．It is hard to follow.
C．It is really essential.	D．It needs improvement.