Finalist - Travel Photographer of the Year. December 2019.

Endangered Planet Portfolio Category

Sharks and Rays

With distinct, bright spots and golden-flecked eyes, one of the most brilliant patterned rays in our oceans is the Blue-spotted Stingray. In recent years they’ve been listed by the IUCN as a 'Near Threatened' species. Their coral reef habitat has undergone widespread destruction primarily from aggressive fishing methods like blast fishing with explosives, poisoning from cyanide mixtures and artisan practices like Muroami.

These rays have an incredibly widespread range, stretching across the Indian Ocean and West Pacific. This has led to a misconception about their status because they are thought of generally as a common species. There are no known conservation studies or management initiatives and therefore, minimal available data about these lovely rays and their chances to survive long-term.

Location: El Quseir, Red Sea, Egypt

Photographer: Laura Storm