The Spiny butterfly ray is one of the rarest and most threatened rays in the northern Mediterranean, historically characterized by extremely limited records across the basin. In the Adriatic Sea, there were no confirmed records of the species in this century until a local population, including juveniles and several near-term pregnant females, was described during the previous MBZ-funded project off Vlorë, Albania (Gajić et al., 2023; Gajić & Karalić, 2024). This discovery fundamentally shifted the understanding of the species’ regional status, indicating not only presence but active reproduction. Unexpectedly, additional records were later documented in the central Adriatic, highlighting a broader distribution and pointing to an urgent need for systematic reassessment of the species across the entire eastern Adriatic. Building on these findings, the present project, supported by the MBZ Species Conservation Fund and GEF, aims to define population boundaries and identify key habitats across the eastern Adriatic, while mapping species presence and habitat use through fishery-dependent monitoring. The project also provides the first preliminary assessment of fishery-induced trauma and post-capture survival using integrated pathological, clinical, and radiological (X-ray and MRI) approaches.

In parallel, through partnerships with UNEP MAP Barcelona Convention, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), and the Albanian Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the project has co-developed species-specific handling guidelines and rapid release protocols and delivered targeted training programs for fishers through port-based and onboard activities. These efforts directly link high-resolution scientific data with practical conservation measures, strengthening both knowledge and implementation capacity in the region.

CITED PAPERS:

Gajić, A., Karalić, E., Beširović, H., & Sulikowski, J. (2023). The first record of gravid Spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) in the northern Mediterranean, with description of near-term foetuses. Journal of Fish Biology, 102(6): 1506 - 1509.

Gajić, A., & Karalić, E. (2024). Rediscovery and urgent conservation needs for critically endangered Spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) in the Adriatic Sea. Animal Conservation, 27, 581-584.

MBZ Species Conservation Fund podcast:

https://www.speciesconservation.org/media-center/podcast/