The IUCN has just classified the Rhynchobatus australiae, or Bottlenose Wedgefish, locally referred to as the Shovelnose ray - as Critically Endangered.
To give you some context, one step to the right of being Critically Endangered (CR), is Extinct in the Wild (EW):
The Rhynchobatus australiae is mainly concentrated in the waters of South East Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, Thailand and the Northern coast of Australia
The threat to the Shovelnose Ray according to IUCN is "Biological Resource Use" - specifically fishing and harvesting.
While there are some trade restrictions relating to the import of such fish, the countries that are the natural habitats to this Shovelnose Ray are still a distance from enacting local laws that may prohibit the sale and consumption of such fish.
The Shovelnose Ray is considered a delicacy in some countries and are known to fetch high prices. In a restaurant, the head of the shovelnose ray can fetch up to S$88 per kilo (US$63 per kilo), such that the dish can cost US$440 and upwards.
Let's not fish or eat the Shovelnose Ray to Extinction. Help us share this article. Tell your local restaurant, fishing kakis and boat captains about this, so that they are aware that the Shovelnose Ray is now listed by the IUCN as being Critically Endangered.
See here for: Best practices to release sharks and rays
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