What Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras Live in Chile’s Waters? More species than you might think

Region Update: South America

Cartilaginous fish are mostly represented by sharks starring in movies and the media as fearsome, blood-thirsty predators lurking in warm waters and exotic locations, waiting for their next victim. In reality, they can be found in all five of the Earth’s oceans and are made up of a diversity of creatures. With their flexible cartilaginous skeletons, all keenly adapted to different environments, Chondrichthyes are made up of flattened rays, skates and sawfish, deep-sea chimaeras, and various sharks. Most people living in the southern tip of South America are unaware that these fascinating animals inhabit their Pacific coast and know relatively little about them. This is due mainly to the lack of information and educational resources readily accessible to communities living in the area. Oceanosfera, a Chilean non-profit foundation, has recently published a guide to “Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras of Southern Chile” to highlight more than 44 species from the southern coast of South America. “Most Chileans don’t know much about our marine fauna, and even less so when it comes to our sharks, rays and chimaeras. A 10-year-old child probably knows all about the African Lion, but is unaware that the fastest shark in the ocean swims in Chilean waters”, says Ignacio Conteras, author of the guide and director of Núcleo Pintarroja, a shark-oriented environmental and scientific non-governmental organization based in Chile.

This new field guide is an invitation to get to know close to half of Chile’s cartilaginous fish and learn important information, in English and Spanish, about 22 shark, as well as 19 ray, three chimaera species and their egg cases. The publication is the first comprehensive, fully illustrated guide to cartilaginous fish of Chile. Every beautifully illustrated species is accompanied by information on its conservation status (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species version 2021-1), international protection, distribution in Chile, endemism, sightings, reproduction, and maximum size. This information is summarised in an attractive, practical, lightweight brochure design.

“During our marine education activities, participants have always been fascinated by sharks while also being scared of them. We hope that through education and new shark-related educational resources, we can change the perception people have of sharks so they may be inspired to help protect them,” says Dr Carolina J. Zagal, president of Oceanosfera Foundation and co-author of the guide.

For the first time in Chile, a section on egg case identification is included, with 15 different egg case types of oviparous species. Users are encouraged to upload their photos and records to Oceanosfera’s website (oceanosfera.cl/huevos). “Most people will never have a chance to see these mysterious animals up close. Egg cases give us information about egglaying species in our waters, like where they live and when they reproduce. Visitors often see shark and ray eggs on the beach or in seaweed and don’t know what they are. We have found that users have been eager to find egg cases, upload their records and find out which species they belong to. This section of our website is still at a pilot stage, and we hope to secure funding to develop it further,” says Dr Zagal.

The field guide also dedicates two pages to share some curious facts about sharks, rays, and chimaeras found in Chilean waters.

Here are five of the ten contenders. Electrifying

“The Apron Ray and Chilean Torpedo have developed a strange way of obtaining their food or defending themselves: they have electric organs that can electrocute or stun their prey or predators.” Hidden pollution

“The Yellownose Skate, as well as other cartilaginous fish can accumulate pollutants such as pesticides in their body.” A powerful elephantfish

“Besides its funny name, the Plownose Chimaera or Elephantfish has a strong and venomous serrated spine on its back that it uses to defend itself.” Light in the dark

“Lantern Sharks can emit their own light to camouflage themselves and to communicate with other sharks.” Gentle giants

“The Basking Shark is the second-largest fish in the world after the Whale Shark and reaches 11 m in length. Despite its enormous mouth, it’s harmless, feeding on the plankton it filters.”

“Decades of overfishing have driven many species of sharks and rays to be threatened with extinction. Scary shark movies such as Jaws have seriously impeded conservation efforts that ensure these organisms, which have an important ecological role in marine ecosystems, don’t become extinct. Educating and communicating about these highly threatened species and the support of local communities is key to their conservation,” Ignacio concludes.

“Sharks, rays and Chimaeras of southern Chile” is available to download for free at en.oceanosfera.cl/recursos-1. A complimentary poster and childrens’ activity book (in Spanish) are also available.

Developed by: Ignacio Contreras & Carolina J. Zagal (authors), Jorge Ruiz T. (illustrator), Isabel Guerrero S. (designer), Carolina J. Zagal (coordinating and editing). How to cite: Contreras, I. & C.J. Zagal. 2021. Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras of Southern Chile. Valdivia, Chile: Fundación Oceanósfera. Oceanosfera’s social media @oceanosfera (Instagram & Facebook), @oceanosferaCL (Twitter). Nucleo Pintarroja’s social media @nucleopintarroja (Instagram & Facebook).