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.