Reticulate whipray
by Miroslava Jurcik
Title
Reticulate whipray
Artist
Miroslava Jurcik
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The reticulate whipray or honeycomb stingray (Himantura uarnak) is a species of stingray (to 160 cm disc width) .
This pic was taken in 2012 when she was in small oval tank in the first section, I don't think I seen her on my 2nd visit in 2017.
When I say small I mean small compare to the main tank. I find fascinating about this ray that she swam round and then stopped and watched the people. I reckon she is smart.
And that's not a real reflection, there was a lot of people in front of her behind the glass.
The Reticulate Whipray is often found off sandy beaches, in sandy areas of coral reefs, in shallow estuaries and lagoons, and may even enter freshwater (Vaudo and Heithaus 2009, Gutteridge 2012). This species also occurs offshore to depths of at least 50 m (White et al. 2006).
This species' preference for inshore waters and lagoons means it is also susceptible due to habitat degradation and loss of mangrove forest and seagrass areas. It may also be affected by destructive fishing practices and pollution.
Between 1980 and 2005 combined overall mangrove area in Indonesia and Malaysia was reduced by >30% (FAO 2007).
Within Australia, catch data for this species is relatively limited, though it is taken as bycatch in the Australian Northern Prawn Fishery. However, with the introduction of turtle exclusion devices (TEDs) and other exclusion devices in the fishery, the ray bycatch has declined by 36.6% and there has been significant reductions in the catch and associated mortality of large rays (Brewer et al. 2006).
The flesh of the Reticulate Whipray is used fresh or salted and dried for human consumption (Last et al. 2010). In some areas, vertebrae are dried and exported, and the skin is dried and used for wallets, belts, shoes, handbags (high value) etc. most of which are exported (White et al. 2006).
This ray is classified as vulnerable !! Let hope we not gonne loose her. We really need to stop overpopulation as they expecting another 2 billion people by 2050.
This pic was taken at Sealife Sydney aquarium !
Uploaded
March 31st, 2018
Statistics
Viewed 952 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/20/2024 at 6:05 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Similar Images
Comments (32)
Marian Bell
Fabulous close-up of this stingray, Miroslava! Almost looks like a velvet carpet! I had an extraordinary experience with one in the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga some years ago. He "eyed" me when I turned my back to get my camera to take a photo,then playfully came flapping away up the side of the tank he was in. Everybody, especially the tour guide in the area, found it rather funny he seemed to like me! I was just glad he didn't manage to get out of the tank! But, love this image! l/f
Denise Clark
Such a beautiful creature Miroslava...saddens me to read how once again human greed has made yet another species vulnerable. l/f
Michele Myers
Love the abstract quality of this shot and good use of diagonals in the composition, Miroslava - L/F!
Recently Viewed
