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Description |
Indo-Pacific: from Pakistan to the Malay Peninsula.
Geographic Range [top]
Range Description: Eastern Indian Ocean and western central Pacific: from India to Java, Indonesia (Compagno 1998, White et al. 2006).
FAO fishing areas: 57, 71.
Countries occurrence:
Native:
India; Indonesia (Jawa)
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Native:
Indian Ocean – eastern; Pacific – western central
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]
Population: Unknown.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Additional data:
?Population severely fragmented: No
Habitat and Ecology [top]
Habitat and Ecology: This inshore stingray occurs on soft substrates, to depths of at least 30 m (Compagno 1998, White et al. 2006). It is known to range into rivers and estuaries in Sabah (Manjaji 1997), and one specimen was caught in an ox-bow (saltwater) lake, near the mouth of Kinabatangan River (Sabah) (Manjaji 2004). Reproduction is viviparous with histotrophy (White et al. 2006). The species attains at least 119 cm disc width (DW) (300 cm total length), males mature at about 76 cm DW (Compagno 1998, White et al. 2006). Size at birth is less than 24.2 cm DW (White and Dharmadi 2007). Nothing else is currently known of the life-history parameters of the species.
Systems: Marine
Use and Trade [top]
Use and Trade: Flesh is utilized fresh or salted and dried for human consumption (locally), vertebrae are dried and exported to the Orient, the denticulate skins are dried and are exported to either Thailand or elsewhere in Indonesia for manufacturing into items such as wallets, belts, handbags, shoes etc, which are becoming increasingly sought after and are beginning to be advertised on web sites in some developed countries (e.g., USA) (White et al. 2006, Authors pers. obs.).
Threats [top]
Major Threat(s): Himantura uarnacoides is taken in very large quantities in demersal tangle net, bottom trawl, trammel net and Danish seine fisheries off India, Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly in the fishery that targets rhynchobatid rays (Compagno 1998, White et al. 2006, Authors pers. obs.). It is also captured by bottom longlines in Vietnam (C. Vidthyanon pers. obs. 2007). In Indonesia, although this species is still caught in large numbers, the fishing vessels have to travel large distances from many cities to sustain catch levels (W. White pers. obs. 2007). Thus, it is apparent that many areas, particularly close to major cities, have been heavily fished. The rhynchobatid fisheries are very intensive in this region, thus the level of exploitation is extremely high. In Indonesia, the dried ray meat that is obtained from catches of the rhynchobatid gill net fishery is an extremely important source of protein for the country. This will presumably increase in the future, thus of great concern to batoid species such as H. uarnacoides.
Inshore fishing pressure is high throughout much of this species known range in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. In Southeast Asia (and presumably in other parts of its range, such as India), most specimens caught as bycatch by commercial fisheries (especially trawlers) are usually retained and marketed for human consumption (B.M. Manjaji, W. White, Famhi and Vidthayanon pers. obs.). Artisanal and industrial fishing pressure is intensive off India (Flewwelling and Hosch 2006, Morgan 2006). Fisheries throughout India operate on an open access basis. Inshore marine species are thought to be fully or overexploited, with extensive use of illegal mesh sizes reported, and increasing ever-increasing bottom trawl effort (Flewwelling and Hosch 2006, Morgan 2006). Demersal species, such as this, suffer more fishing mortality than pelagic species on the eastern coast of India and declines in demersal shrimp and fish stocks have led to fishery closures in areas of the western coast (Morgan 2006). Indias inshore fisheries are generally characterised by declining catch rates, recruitment and biomass and a shift from regular landing patterns (Flewwelling and Hosch 2006). Although no species-specific data are available on catches, this species may share the limiting life-history characteristics similar to many elasmobranchs, making it vulnerable to depletion.
Marine pollution and coastal degradation has also impacted the coastal habitat of this species (including estuaries) (Morgan 2006). Extensive trawl and gillnet fisheries also operate off Pakistan (Khan 2006) and in other areas of this species range in the Indian Ocean.
Conservation Actions [top]
Conservation Actions: None.
Citation: White, W.T. & Manjaji, B.M. & Fahmi. 2009. Himantura uarnacoides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009: e.T161547A5448613. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T161547A5448613.en. Downloaded on 13 June 2016.
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