Like most species of Mobula, the Atlantic Devilray has a very low reproductive output, with a late estimated age-at-maturity and low fecundity, and presumably a very low intrinsic rate of population increase. Increasing international trade in gill plates has led to the expansion of largely unregulated and unmonitored mobulid fisheries worldwide. Due mainly to its schooling behavior and its coastal near-shore distribution, this species is likely a bycatch component of many small-scale fisheries; this fishing effort has largely been unreported with catches often generalized as Mobula species. This species is widespread throughout the tropics and temperate waters of the Atlantic and depletions of the Atlantic Devilray are suspected in some parts of its range based on reduced sightings, and declines in catches and landings in recent years. It is now absent from many areas believed to be a part of its former geographic range and there have been few sightings in many countries, particularly in Brazil. Trends from genus-wide data where devilrays face heavy fishing pressure outside the range of the Atlantic Devilray, indicate significant declines of 51 to 94% over 10- to 15-year periods (~one generation length). The levels of fishing pressure resulting in these declines are similar to that likely in West Africa. Based on current and future levels of exploitation, declining trends, and a reduction in area of occupancy, it is suspected that this species has undergone a population reduction of 50–79% over the last three generations (38 years), with a further population reduction suspected over the next three generation lengths (2019–2057) due to ongoing demand for high-value products. The Atlantic Devilray is therefore assessed as Endangered A2cd+3d.