Counting Fiji's sharks, rays and turtles
The guitarfish/wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae), also called the white-spotted guitarfish or white-spotted wedgefish, is a species of fish in the Rhynchobatidae family. The guitarfish/wedgefish are known for an elongated body with a flattened head and trunk and small ray like wings.
The combined range of the various species is tropical, subtropical and temperate waters worldwide. They often travel in large schools.More info here…
The Oceania fantail (blue spotted) ray (Taeniura lessoni), named for René Lesson, the the French scientist in the 19th century who once worked on members of this genus in Melanesia.
The Giant reef ray (Taeniurops meyeni) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae, found throughout the nearshore waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific, as well as off islands in the eastern Pacific. It is a bottom-dwelling inhabitant of lagoons, estuaries, and reefs, generally at a depth of 20–60 m (66–200 ft).
Reaching 1.8 m (5.9 ft) across, this large ray is characterized by a thick, rounded pectoral fin disc covered by small tubercles on top, and a relatively short tail bearing a deep ventral fin fold. In addition, it has a variable but distinctive light and dark mottled pattern on its upper surface, and a black tail.More info here…
The Maskray (Neotrygon kuhlii) or Kuhl’s stingray, is a species of stingray of the Dasyatidae family. This ray is currently under investigation by geneticists and it is very likely that it will be reclassified in the near future, possibly as Neotrygon trigonoides.
The Maskray is light green with blue spots, but appears grey in the water with pointed wings and a disk width around 42 centimeters (17 in). It is sometimes confused with the smaller Oceania Fantail (Blue Spotted) Ray, which is rounder with brighter blue and more vivid spots.More info here…
The manta rays (we count both Manta alfredi and Manta birostris) are the largest of the rays in the family Myliobatidae. The largest known specimen was more than 7.6 metres (25 ft) across, with a weight of about 1,300 kilograms (2,900 lb). It ranges throughout waters of the world, typically around coral reefs.
They have the largest brain-to-body ratio of the sharks, rays and skates (Elasmobranchii), a brain which is kept warm during lengthy dives to as deep as 500 metres (1,600 ft) in cold water.
They are exceptionally graceful swimmers and appear to fly through the water on their large wings. Individuals have also been observed to jump clear out of the water, possibly in a form of communication or play.
The Ocellated eagle ray, Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823) are part of a group of cartilaginous fishes in the family Myliobatidae, consisting mostly of large species living in the open ocean rather than on the sea bottom.More info here…
Throughout the months of April and November every year, you have the opportunity to help celebrate and record Fiji’s amazing coral reef biodiversity, show you care about our world’s delicate coral reef systems, and have fun, by taking part in the FIJI-WIDE SHARK COUNT!
Easy to do, this is suitable for visitors and locals alike, whether you like to fish, snorkel, or SCUBA dive. We hope that tourists, school children, scientists and all people with an interest in the marine environment will take to the reefs with us to search for the Sharks of Fiji!
The Great Fiji Shark Count will be held across Fiji every April and November every year.
You can do a single count, or take part as many times as you like during that month, so that you cover different reefs. All data will be gratefully accepted!
So, see your resort, watersports operator or travel agent, get your Shark identification materials and dive into the beautiful blue waters of Fiji, to be a part of history!
