Stingrays are diverse cartilaginous fish, closely related to sharks, inhabiting marine and sometimes freshwater environments globally. Their flat, disc-shaped bodies and long tails make them distinct members of the ocean ecosystem. Whether these creatures are endangered depends entirely on the specific species and its location. While some common species remain stable, many others face significant threats that put them at risk of extinction. The conservation status of the over 200 known stingray species varies widely, reflecting a broader crisis for their biological class.
Defining the Elasmobranch Conservation Crisis
Stingrays belong to the subclass Elasmobranchii, a group that includes all sharks, rays, and skates. This entire class of cartilaginous fish is globally recognized as highly vulnerable to population decline. This widespread vulnerability stems from their life history traits, which make them slow to recover from exploitation. These animals are characterized by slow growth rates, late sexual maturity, and low reproductive output, often giving birth to only a few pups after a long gestation period. When faced with intense fishing pressure, populations cannot replenish quickly enough to offset losses, meaning a substantial percentage of all ray species are currently categorized as threatened.
The Specific Status of Vulnerable Species
Conservation status is formally tracked by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The three main threatened categories are Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered, representing increasing risk of extinction. Surveys show that rays are generally at a higher risk of extinction than sharks; five of the seven most threatened families are composed of rays. Many species of sawfish have been assessed as either Endangered or Critically Endangered. Similarly, all species of manta rays and devil rays (mobulids) are listed as Vulnerable or Endangered due to rapid declines. These large, slow-moving species are disproportionately affected by human activities, and the overall trend for the largest and most commercially valuable rays is negative.
Primary Threats Driving Population Decline
The primary factor driving the population decline of stingrays is overexploitation, both intentional and unintentional. Targeted fishing occurs in many regions where stingrays are harvested for their meat, which is often sold under other names, or for their gill plates used in traditional medicine markets. The high value placed on specific body parts of larger species, such as the giant manta ray, fuels unsustainable fishing practices.
A major source of mortality is bycatch, the accidental capture of non-target species in large-scale commercial fisheries. Stingrays are frequently caught in bottom trawls, longlines, and gillnets designed to catch other fish and shellfish. Because many rays inhabit the seafloor, they are particularly susceptible to destructive trawling gear that sweeps across their habitat.
Habitat Loss and Climate Change
The loss and degradation of critical habitats also represent a major threat to their survival. Coastal development, pollution runoff, and the destruction of mangrove estuaries and seagrass beds eliminate the shallow-water nurseries where many species give birth and where juveniles mature. Climate change compounds these issues by altering ocean temperatures and causing water acidification, which affects the health of stingrays and their food sources.
Actions to Protect Stingrays
International policy and local protective measures are being implemented to address the threats facing stingrays. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) protects commercially traded species. All manta and devil ray species, for example, are listed under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits all international commercial trade in their products. This listing aims to shut down the global demand-driven exploitation of these highly migratory species.
At a national and local level, the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) offers a refuge for stingrays by safeguarding their breeding and feeding grounds. These protected zones shield coastal nurseries from destructive fishing practices and habitat degradation. Sustainable fisheries management efforts, such as implementing fishing quotas, regulating specific gear types, and placing seasonal closures on vulnerable areas, are also used to reduce bycatch.