BRAZILIAN GUITARFISH

Brazilian Guitarfish (Pseudobatus horkelii, Red List IUCN status: Critically Endangered)

A cartilaginous fish similar to skates and rays, the Brazilian guitarfish is a victim of overfishing and bycatch as various commercial and artisanal fisheries in its coastal inshore habitat has decimated its population. These fisheries operate year-round in the species’ nursery grounds, catching large numbers of pregnant females. Found mainly in the southwestern Atlantic from Bahia, Brazil to Mar del Plata, Argentina, the guitarfish lives in shallow waters between November and March to pup and mate, moving to deeper waters for the rest of the year. To save the fish, there is a pressing need to address consumer demand and for laws to be enacted to enforce more sustainable fishing practices.