Common Stingray Survey + Mediterranean Monk Seal surprise in Liri Beach (Greece) | October 5, 20255/10/2025
 CC-BY Chris Taklis - Dasyatis pastinaca Today’s survey at Liri Beach focused on the common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca). These rays spend the day resting on the sandy seabed, sometimes half buried with only their eyes and spiracles visible. Careful observation helps us note their abundance and distribution along the coast, building a clearer picture of how they use this habitat. As part of the survey, we also checked inside one of the sea caves near the beach. We already know that these caves are used by Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus), so we entered with caution. In the middle of the cave, a male seal suddenly appeared and swam directly toward us.  CC-BY Chris Taklis - Monachus monachus We immediately stopped and decided not to continue further inside, respecting the possibility that more seals might be resting deeper within. Instead, we followed the male as he swam out of the cave. We later named him Nereus, after the old sea god of Greek mythology, a fitting name for such a rare and extraordinary animal. This unexpected encounter was a reminder of how precious these habitats are. Liri Beach is not only a refuge for stingrays but also a sanctuary for one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals. Respecting their space ensures that these incredible animals can continue to thrive alongside us.  CC-BY Chris Taklis - Dasyatis pastinaca Today, we carried out a focused marine survey at Liri Beach, South Pelion, at 4-meters depth, dedicated to the observation and documentation of the Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca). This species is a familiar yet often overlooked inhabitant of Mediterranean coastal waters, and our aim is to better understand its local presence, behavior, and habitat preferences. About the Common Stingray The Common Stingray is a benthic species, usually resting on sandy or muddy seabeds, often partially buried and well camouflaged. It can grow up to 140 cm in length, with a disc-shaped body and a long whip-like tail that carries a venomous spine used for defense. Although generally non-aggressive, stingrays can inflict painful stings if disturbed, which makes observing them with care essential. They feed mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small fish, playing an important ecological role in maintaining the balance of benthic communities. In Greece, they are considered relatively common, but systematic data on their abundance and seasonal movements are still limited.  CC-BY Chris Taklis - Dasyatis pastinaca Why This Survey Matters Documenting species like the Common Stingray contributes to a better understanding of the biodiversity of South Pelion’s coastal ecosystems. With increasing human activity in coastal areas, especially during the tourist season, continuous monitoring helps assess potential pressures on marine life and informs conservation efforts. Next Steps Data collected today will be added to our ongoing marine monitoring records. Future surveys will aim to determine whether the Common Stingray population in Liri is stable, seasonal, or subject to fluctuations related to environmental changes.  © Chris Taklis - Dasyatis pastinaca The September 2023 floods in Pelion, Greece, were not just a natural disaster; they were an ecological event with profound implications for the region's terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Among the many species affected by the floods, the Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca) has drawn particular attention, especially the juveniles that we were fortunate to document during the Wildlife Recovery Survey: After the September 2023 Floods in Pelion (Greece). The Importance of Juvenile Stingrays Juvenile stingrays are a critical indicator of the health of marine ecosystems. Their presence suggests successful breeding and a suitable environment for growth and development. In the context of Pelion, the discovery of juvenile Common Stingrays is particularly significant because it indicates that, despite the ecological upheaval caused by the floods, the conditions in the coastal waters still support the early life stages of this species. This observation was made today, September 3, 2024, at the beach of Theotokos in South Pelion, Greece. Additionally, the nearby beach of Liri holds the distinction of being the first officially recorded and studied nursery area for the Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca) in Greece. Stingrays, like many marine species, have specific habitat requirements during their juvenile phase. They typically prefer shallow, sheltered areas with abundant food and low predation pressure, often favoring seabeds composed of mixed sediments, including sand and rocks. These areas provide not only sustenance but also refuge, which is vital for their survival.  © Chris Taklis - Dasyatis pastinaca The Impact of Habitat Changes on Juvenile Stingrays The floods in Pelion dramatically altered the seafloor composition at Theotokos beach, transforming a significant portion of the seafloor from a rocky to a predominantly sandy substrate. This change can significantly impact juvenile stingrays for several reasons:
 © Chris Taklis - Dasyatis pastinaca The Need for Continued Research and Conservation
To ensure the survival of the Common Stingray and other marine species in Pelion, it is essential to continue studying these habitat changes and their impacts on local wildlife. Conservation efforts may need to include habitat restoration or protection measures, such as creating artificial reefs to replace lost rocky substrates, or enforcing stricter fishing regulations to protect vulnerable juvenile populations. The resilience of nature is remarkable, as evidenced by the survival of these juvenile stingrays, but it is not infallible. Active management and conservation efforts will be key to ensuring that Pelion’s marine ecosystems can fully recover and continue to support diverse and thriving wildlife populations.  forward movement for the #StopFinEU campaign to end the fin trade in Europe! And this time ANYONE can take action for sharks. All you need is 5 minutes to make a massive impact, here's how...
At this stage the European Commission is accepting public comments via their official questionnaire. This is your opportunity to participate, deadline is June 4th 2024. The questions are focused on policy options. These are loaded questions, so be very careful and read the details below before you begin. This is completely about your opinion, any suggestions we make below are simply that, suggestions. Click the links below if you want to see how Shark Allies answered. To participate, go to this link and create a log in. Here are some overall points that might help you understand and navigate the process: For each question you have six option ranging from VERY POSITIVE to VERY NEGATIVE and NO OPINION. Be aware that the Commission will most likely just tally the results automatically and not carefully consider subtleties you want to express. It’s probably best to be very obvious in your selection. NEUTRAL is a better choice than NO OPINION to show that there is most likely no impact, or there will be negative and positive changes that will balance out. When you read the proposed policy options (#2-7) please keep in mind that they are not asking whether these are good practices to pursue in general (most of them are), but whether this is the one policy solution they should chose (instead of a fin trade ban). So your answers should reflect whether that particular policy option will bring the effect you desire. If you are in favor of a fin trade ban, then policy options #2-5 are completely undesirable, since they would not create any effective change. At best they would be NEUTRAL. Therefore, the environmental impacts would be VERY NEGATIVE (because very little would change and systems keep degrading) and most of the social and economic impacts would be NEUTRAL, because they wouldn’t change much from what they are now (with the exception being tourism and human health). You will see why, as you read on. For guidance on the questionaire in multiple languages, you can follow along at the link below: https://sharkallies.org/eu-action  Scotland's coastal waters are teeming with elasmobranchs, including sharks and rays! From the majestic Basking Shark to the mysterious Common Skate, these marine wonders play a vital role in our ecosystem.
Have you ever spotted one during your seaside adventures? Share your elasmobranch encounters (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sharks-in-scotland) or tag a friend who loves marine life! Let's celebrate the diverse and fascinating world beneath the waves. #Elasmobranchs #ScotlandMarineLife #OceanWonders #BiodiversityDiscovery |
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