Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about rays.
What are rays, and how do they relate to sharks?
Rays are a sister group to sharks within the class Chondrichthyes, meaning they share the same cartilaginous-skeleton lineage but have evolved a flattened, disc-shaped body with broad pectoral fins. While sharks are generally torpedo-shaped swimmers, rays glide close to the seafloor or through the water column using those wing-like fins.
What are the biggest threats to their populations?
Overfishing for meat and fins, bycatch in trawl and longline fisheries, and degradation of coral-reef habitat are the three leading pressures. Many species are now listed as Vulnerable or Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, and several countries have introduced seasonal or area-based fishing bans in response.