A free diver who spends a great deal of time underwater off the coast of Australia got here throughout a once-in-a-lifetime discover—a really uncommon marine animal referred to as a “shark ray” or a bowmouth guitarfish. Bowmouth guitarfish populations are in hassle because of “intense fishing stress on their coastal and shelf habitats.” The IUCN explains that fishing is basically unregulated throughout the vast majority of this animal’s distributions. As a result of guitarfish reside in shallow, inshore soft-bottom habitats, they’re additionally notably weak to habitat loss and environmental degradation.
“I can’t imagine I received this shot,” wrote goldcoastfreediver in his TikTok publish sharing the footage. “That is the critically endangered Shark Ray (Rhina ancylostmus)[.] I’ve by no means in my life seen this lovely creature. Simply over 2m in size. That is another excuse Kirra reef must be a inexperienced zone.”
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Goldcoastfreediver’s video exhibits the again of the guitarfish because it glides alongside the underside of the seabed. He says it’s attainable he’ll by no means see one in every of these animals once more.
See the uncommon marine animal right here:
Header inventory picture of critically endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish at Flat Rock, North Stradbroke Island, Australia by AndriiSlonchak/Getty Photos