DNA barcodes and ethnomedicinal use of Sharpnose guitarfish <i>Glaucostegus granulatus</i> by the locals at Keylong, Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

Singh, Ashutosh; Jabin, Gul; Joshi, Bheem Dutt; Thakur, Mukesh; Sharma, Lalit Kumar; Chandra, Kailash

doi:10.1080/23802359.2019.1698329

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

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“…However, their meat is commonly consumed in countries like India and Bangladesh, where it can form a cheap source of protein for low‐income communities (Haque et al, 2021; Nazareth et al, 2022). Skin, bones and other products have also been recorded to have ethnomedical uses in noncoastal regions of India (Singh et al, 2020). Therefore, local communities may have diverse values for rhino rays.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2023

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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 towards 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 semistructured interviews and key informant interviews (88 in total) was 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 on their seasonality and breeding. Rhino rays appeared to be targeted historically but are entirely bycaught at present, with 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. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2023

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Fisher insights into rhino ray status, utilisation, and conservation at five major fishing harbours in India

Karnad,

Barnes,

Mukherji

et al. 2024

Endang. Species. Res.

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Rhino rays (order Rhinopristiformes) are among the most threatened marine species. India is one of the world’s top shark and ray fishing nations and harbours a high diversity of these species, but research on them has been limited. This study provides insights on rhino ray status, utilisation, and conservation across 5 large fishing harbours in India (Porbandar, Mumbai, Chennai, Ganjam, and Digha) by describing fishers’ ecological knowledge of fisheries interactions, patterns of catches and utilisation, and perceptions and attitudes towards rhino ray conservation. Interviews (n = 161) revealed that rhino rays are considered bycatch (99.3% of respondents), with catch declines of up to 95% in the last decade (85%, n = 137) and unsustainable fishing noted as the leading cause of declines. Primary use was for local consumption (71%, n = 114), mostly as fresh meat. Large-bodied individuals (>1 m total length [TL]) could reportedly be sold for the fin trade or locally consumed. Small-bodied individuals (<1 m TL) were reportedly discarded at sea, consumed, or considered trash fish. Knowledge of products, prices, and trends in utilisation was mostly anecdotal, and it was evident that respondents’ concern for rhino ray conservation was very low. The lack of ecological knowledge was assessed to be due to population declines. Overall, 78% of respondents (n = 126) had higher use-oriented attitudes towards rhino rays than conservation-oriented attitudes. Hence, conservation actions need to be complemented with policies to protect rhino ray species and critical habitats. Our findings demonstrate the urgency of immediate conservation actions for and recording ecological knowledge of these species.

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DNA barcodes and ethnomedicinal use of Sharpnose guitarfish Glaucostegus granulatus by the locals at Keylong, Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

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

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

Fisher insights into rhino ray status, utilisation, and conservation at five major fishing harbours in India

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