Murcia's coast becomes safe haven for endangered guitarfish and other rays

New research project aims to safeguard species once thought lost in the western Mediterranean

The coastline of the Region of Murcia is proving to be a vital refuge for guitarfish and other rays and sharks, species once thought to have disappeared from the western Mediterranean. This discovery comes as experts from the University of Murcia’s (UMU) Marine Ecology and Conservation research group launch the GUITAR-HERO project, aimed at studying the common guitarfish, a critically endangered species that has made a rare comeback in these waters.

Led by researcher José Antonio García Charton, the GUITAR-HERO project is being developed in collaboration with the Biodiversity Foundation of Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, supported by the European Union through the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA). This project continues the GuitarProtect initiative, which was launched in 2023. The focus is on gathering essential data about the distribution, seasonal movements, and migration patterns of these threatened species to inform conservation strategies for the region.

“The coasts of the Region are a benchmark and a gem for shark and ray lovers, as their waters shelter species that were considered lost in the western Mediterranean,” says María Pozo Montoro, researcher and coordinator of the GUITAR-HERO project. While the guitarfish has long been familiar to local fishermen and divers, it was thought to be extinct in Spain, France and Italy for over three decades. Its return to the waters of Murcia is a significant conservation success.

The project’s activities will focus on increasing the number of animals tagged for tracking and expanding the network of ray and shark watchers. Researchers will also carry out independent visual surveys in areas of particular interest, using social media sightings to complement their efforts. The team plans to engage the fishing and diving communities through workshops, training, and talks to raise awareness about these species and their importance to the health of marine ecosystems.

The GUITAR-HERO project involves collaboration with various academic and social partners, including the Universities of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Montpellier (France), as well as local groups like the Fishermen's Guilds of San Pedro del Pinatar and Cartagena. The initiative is also working alongside other elasmobranch projects funded by the Pleamar Program, aimed at ensuring the survival of these incredible species in the Mediterranean.

Image: CC BY-SA 2.0/Wikimedia