Sightings of Atlantic Pygmy Devil Ray and other devil rays in waters of the Republic of the Congo

Original provider:
Marijke N. de Boer

Dataset credits:
Marijke N. de Boer

Abstract:
The Mobula communities inhabiting eastern tropical Atlantic (ETA) waters along the west coast of Africa are globally amongst the most poorly studied. The limited recent information available is derived mainly from the monitoring of strandings and fisheries interactions at landing sites. However, little is known about the habitat preferences of the species that occur off Congo because at-sea sightings have rarely been published.

Mobula hypostoma, Atlantic Pygmy Devil Rays, were observed during megafauna surveys in the shallow coastal waters off the Republic of the Congo. These are the first records of this species in its natural habitat in Congolese waters, which may well offer an important habitat for these coastal batoids, but further research is needed. There is an urgent need for management measures to protect M. hypostoma throughout its African range, particularly in view of the recent increase in fishing activities within the region.