Wedgefish with fins removed in Asian fish market
Peter M. Kyne
72% of the fauna. The Symposium focused on the non-sawfish rhino rays, namely the wedgefishes (90% of species are threatened), giant guitarfishes (100% threatened), guitarfishes (66% threatened), and banjo rays (38% threatened). Presenters from 18 different countries gave 27 presentations, providing a truly global symposium. A complete list of presentations is provided in the table below. The Symposium had 280 people registered from 37 countries. The ten countries with the most registered people were the United States (84), Australia (31), Brazil (24), Peru (12), United Kingdom (12), South Africa (11), India (9), Thailand (8), Singapore (7), and Sri Lanka (7). Presenters highlighted the status and ecology of rhino rays, catch and bycatch levels, extensive trade in their products, livelihood values, the resolution of taxonomic issues, the role of genetic tools such as environmental DNA (eDNA), the role of aquaria in communicating status and challenges to the broader community, and conservation challenges at national and global scales. Indeed, the challenges facing rhino rays are immense and require a strong commitment from funders and governments to facilitate research and conservation outcomes. Some key ongoing research needs to inform management and conservation include: (1) foundational taxonomy and life history research; (2) population structure studies; (3) catch and trade monitoring and population trends; and (4) captive breeding. The Symposium was supported by the American Elasmobranch Society, Save Our Seas Foundation, Pacific Shark Research Center (Moss Landing Marine Laboratories), Dallas World Aquarium, Charles Darwin University, and the Georgia Aquarium. We thank Rachel Aitchison, Bryan Huerta, Tonya Wiley, and Josh Moyer for assistance with the Symposium.
Charles Darwin University | Senior Research Fellow
David A. Ebert IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) | North America Regional Group | Member American Elasmobranch Society | President Pacific Shark Research Center | Director South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity | Honorary Marine Fishes Curator, Chondrichthyes Moss Landing Marine Laboratories | Research Faculty
and Paula Carlson IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) | North America Regional Group | Member & Aquarium Working Group | Co-Chair Dallas World Aquarium | Director of Husbandry
T
he inaugural American Elasmobranch Society (AES) Global Wedgefish and Guitarfish Symposium was held virtually over two days in November 2021. The Symposium aimed to bring together the global community of people interested in understanding, managing, and conserving one of the most threatened groups of animals on earth. The majority of cartilaginous fishes of the Order Rhinopristiformes (‘rhino rays’) are considered threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species represent 28
Photo by Peter Kyne
AES holds first Global Wedgefish and Guitarfish Symposium
