Drawing on local knowledge and attitudes for the conservation of critically endangered rhino rays in Goa, India

In the context of marine species declines in data-limited regions, local ecological knowledge (LEK) is a valuable source of information on species ecology and historical trends. LEK can also help understand how threatened species exist within a local culture, in terms of their uses and values, and reveal attitudes toward their conservation. Rhino rays (guitarfish and wedgefish) are highly threatened by overfishing with most species Critically Endangered, yet poorly studied in countries like India that fish them the most. We drew on LEK to understand the socio-ecological status of rhino rays in Goa, on the west coast of India. We investigated their habitat use and seasonality, interaction with fisheries, socio-economic uses, and relational values. We also explored attitudes of fishers towards rhino rays and their conservation. A combination of semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews (88 in total) were conducted with fishers at multiple sites. Local knowledge suggests that nearshore habitats around river mouths form important nursery grounds for some rhino rays, and provided insights into their seasonality and breeding. Rhino rays appeared to be targeted historically but are entirely bycaught at present, with the highest catches in gillnets and in the South Goa district, during September and October. LEK indicated that taxa like sawfish (Pristis spp.) and wedgefish (Rhynchobatus spp.) have severely declined or disappeared from this region. We coded different relational values, from recreation (rhino rays are consumed and enjoyed with alcohol) to symbolic values (rhino rays are considered lucky). All key informants expressed positive attitudes towards rhino ray conservation and stated that a ban on landing these species would have little to no impact on fisher earnings. The usefulness of LEK suggests it should be brought into the scientific mainstream to support development of more equitable and socially-appropriate management plans. Fostering relational values can reinforce fishers' positive attitudes, thereby enhancing rhino ray conservation. Their low commercial value and potentially high post-capture survival suggest that using norm-based approaches to promote live release may be successful. Further research on rhino ray ecology and human dimensions can support the development of appropriate conservation interventions.

在数据匮乏区域海洋物种衰退的背景下，本地生态知识（Local Ecological Knowledge, LEK）是获取物种生态学特征与历史种群趋势相关信息的宝贵资源。LEK还可帮助解析受威胁物种在当地文化中的存在样态，包括其利用方式与价值内涵，并揭示公众对其保护的态度。犁头鳐（含犁头鳐与犁头鲨）因过度捕捞面临极高生存威胁，多数物种已被列为极危（Critically Endangered），但在印度这类捕捞强度极高的国家中，对其的研究仍极度匮乏。本研究依托本地生态知识，探究了印度西海岸果阿地区犁头鳐的社会-生态现状。我们调查了其栖息地利用模式与季节动态、与渔业的相互作用、社会经济用途及关系价值，同时探讨了渔民对犁头鳐及其保护的态度。研究通过多站点访谈渔民，结合半结构化访谈与关键知情人访谈（共计88次）开展。本地生态知识显示，河口周边的近岸栖息地是部分犁头鳐的重要育幼场所，同时也揭示了其季节活动规律与繁殖特征。历史上犁头鳐曾为目标捕捞物种，如今则完全作为兼捕渔获物被捕获，刺网捕捞量最高，且主要集中在果阿南区，捕捞旺季为每年9月至10月。本地生态知识表明，锯鳐属（Pristis spp.）、犁头鲨属（Rhynchobatus spp.）等类群在该区域已严重衰退甚至彻底消失。我们对不同类型的关系价值进行了编码分类，从娱乐消费属性（犁头鳐可食用且常搭配酒类享用）到象征价值（犁头鳐被视为吉祥信物）。所有关键知情人均对犁头鳐保护持积极态度，并表示禁止上岸该物种对渔民收入几乎无影响。本研究证实了本地生态知识的应用价值，表明应将其纳入科学研究主流，以助力制定更公平且贴合社会实际的渔业管理方案。培育关系价值可强化渔民的积极保护态度，从而提升犁头鳐的保护成效。犁头鳐商业价值较低且捕获后存活率较高，这意味着采用基于社会规范的干预方式推动活释放措施或可取得成功。未来需进一步开展犁头鳐生态学与人文维度的研究，以支撑针对性保护干预措施的制定。