Sharks and Rays
learn to protect
A total of 10 sharks and rays species are living in Amvrakikos waters. Despite the low biodiversity in respect to the whole Mediterranean Sea (with a total number of 88 species), the area is of fundamental importance given the presence in high number of Critically Endangered (Duckbill Eagle Ray – Aetomylaeus bovinus, Spiny Butterfly Ray – Gymnura altavela), Vulnerable (Common Smoothhound – Mustelus mustelus, Common Stingray – Dasyatis pastinaca, Common Eagle Ray – Myliobatis aquila) and Data Deficient (Brown Stingray – Bathytoshia lata, Marbled Stingray – Dasyatis marmorata, Tortonese’s Stingray – Dasyatis tortonesei) species.
Unique in the Mediterranean
Amvrakikos Gulf is a hotspot of rare and critically endangered species of sharks and rays
In 2023 Amvrakikos Gulf has been delineated as a Shark and Ray Important Area (ISRA) for the presence of A. bovinus, G. altavela and M. mustelus. More specifically the gulf is of peculiar interest during reproductive periods, since it is used as a parturition and nursery area. Newborns and young-of-the-year, as well as pregnant females were found over the years. Moreover, sharks and rays are more commonly encountered in Amvrakikos Gulf in respect to the Ioanian Sea.
Further studies carried out within the By ElasmoCatch Project confirmed the use of the gulf as nursery for species of the genus Dasyatis, Myliobatis aquila and Torpedo torpedo.
The isolated nature of the gulf may reflect in the isolation of the population of elasmobranch present in the area. Some species, especially non-migratory ones, might be permanently living in the gulf. The degree of movement and the inflow of new individuals from the Ionian Sea is investigated in a view of effective management actions. Specifically, DNA samples collected from sharks and rays living in Amvrakikos Gulf are analysed together with those obtained from other areas of the Mediterranean Sea too detect possible isolation patterns. A conventional tagging program is also carried out, tag-retrieval from other area will help to understand migratory movements.
Amvrakikos Alliance partners
