Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 day ago
Rare Chilean devil rays spotted near Cape Cod
New England Aquarium surveyors spotted a small group of Chilean devil rays southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The sighting came during an aerial survey of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument as summer ended.
The team counted more than 2,000 animals from 15 marine species across the area.
Chilean devil rays are large fish that usually live alone and are difficult to study because they travel far and stay offshore.
They are classified as Critically Endangered, with by-catch and overfishing among their main threats.
The monument’s deep canyons and productive waters can attract seasonal visitors when warm Gulf Stream water reaches the area.
The survey team’s sighting adds to what researchers know about a rarely observed species, but no further action or plans are described.
New England Aquarium aerial surveyors spotted Chilean devil rays southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The sighting took place in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument as summer drew to a close.
The survey recorded more than 2,000 animals across 15 marine species.
Chilean devil rays are classified as Critically Endangered and are mainly threatened by by-catch and overfishing.
- Who
- New England Aquarium aerial surveyors, including researcher Katherine McKenna, spotted the rays.
- What
- They saw a small group of Chilean devil rays, also called sicklefin devil rays.
- When
- As summer drew to a close; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- In the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
- Why
- The article says warm water from the Gulf Stream draws seasonal visitors, including Chilean devil rays, to the area.
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- Survey total
- More than 2,000 animals
- Species recorded
- 15 marine species
- Location
- Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, southeast of Cape Cod
- Conservation status
- Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
- Wingspan
- 11 to 12.5 feet
What people are saying
We rarely see Chilean devil rays on our aerial surveys
one of the ocean’s best-kept secrets
Sources
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