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Fin Focus Research

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25.01.2022 Thanks to @jakeoxphotography for this recent submission of a beautifully camouflaged resting wobbegong While some wobbegong species are quite distinct (eg. the tassled wobbegong), others can be very similar in size and appearance such as the Northern Wobbegong (Orectolobus wardi) and the Network Wobbegong (Orectolobus reticulatus) Photo submissions help to improve the biodiversity and distribution records of sharks here in Ningaloo so If youve seen one here send your sighting details (date, location, photo) via message on our Facebook page (link in Bio!)Thanks again Jake!

25.01.2022 With questions coming in regarding the confusion between Wedegish, Guitarfish and Giant Guitarfish, it seems like a good time to reshare this guide published last year (link below) It doesnt include the smaller guitarfish from the family Rhinobatidae (eg the Western Shovelnose Ray) however it does include species from the Glaucostegidae and Rhinidae families When using shark/ray guides, keep in mind that colour can vary widely and is not necessarily a useful identifying f...eature Many of the species in this guide do not occur here on the Ningaloo Reef ; the species recorded on the Fin Focus database to date include the following (all of which are now classified as Critically Endangered on the Global IUCN Redlist): the Giant Guitarfish aka Giant Shovelnose Ray (Glaucostegus typus) the Bottlenose Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae) the Shark Ray aka Bowmouth Guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma) Wedgefish identification is particularly difficult and DNA barcoding studies can be a more accurate way to identify these species - this could shed light on species biodiversity here in Ningaloo Additionally, smaller specimens of guitarfish may be misidentified as giant guitarfish, and vice versa With many common names used as a broader term for these rays (eg guitar shark), it gets extremely confusing - so it can actually be easier to refer to them by their scientific name! If you see any of these species in the Ningaloo Reef/Exmouth Gulf region, please submit your sighting details via the Message button on this Facebook page , including the date, location and photo https://static1.squarespace.com//Jabado+2019_Wedgefishes+a

24.01.2022 Have you seen any of these, or perhaps another shark or ray that is not commonly seen in the Ningaloo/Exmouth gulf region? If so Fin Focus would love to hear from you! Please share this poster to get the word out , and thanks to the amazing photographers who contributed photos @daisychain7399 @chrisjansenimages @oceanaimee @huntingforparadise and Dave Morgan

24.01.2022 A rare and beautiful shot by @daisychain7399 of a resting Ocellated Eagle Ray on the Ningaloo Reef taken on a whale shark tour with @ningaloodiscovery Note the damaged tail - possibly making it easier to identify again in the future Thanks for the submission Daisy

23.01.2022 Do you live in the Ningaloo region? Would you like to learn about the resilience of the reef, help to identify challenges to it and brainstorm solutions for the future? If so, please consider signing up for one (or both) of the Community forums put on by DCBA in the coming weeks at: www.resilientreefsningaloo.com

23.01.2022 Thanks @oceanaimee for this submission of a large Blotched Stingray (Taeniurops meyeni) aka Blotched Fantail Ray seen on tour with @whalesharkdive These large rays grow up to 1.8 in disc width They are often confused with the southern ranging Smooth Stingray (Bathytoshia brevicaudata), which is also large and dark coloured but has a different disc shape and tail Thanks Aimee!

23.01.2022 Love this photo submission (of a very cute wedgefish) from @oceanaimee, taken on a whale shark tour last year with @whalesharkdive These Bottlenose Wedgefish (R. australiae) are now globally classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Redlist We are so lucky to be able to provide a refuge for them here and have somewhat regular sightings in the Ningaloo region Thanks to all the crew for your contributions and continued support across the seasons

21.01.2022 A big thanks to Sarah @bush_bums for this photo submission Sarah was fishing in the Exmouth Gulf recently To her surprise she caught this beautiful wedgefish, taking a quick photo and releasing it back into the water These rays are now critically endangered on a global scale and little is known of wedgefish populations here - so these sightings are very valuable Thanks again Sarah Have you seen or caught one of these in the Ningaloo region? We would love to hear about it!

20.01.2022 Thanks to @danbythedesert for this shot of @oceanaimee with a beautiful Painted Maskray (Neotrygon leylandi) in the Exmouth Gulf This lovely little ray is endemic to Western Australia, ranging from Shark Bay at least as far as Eighty Mile Beach Little is known about them, although when they give birth (to live young) their litter sizes are small, between 1-3 pups We love seeing them here in Ningaloo, thanks Dan

19.01.2022 How adorable is this Speckled Carpetshark (Hemiscyllium trispeculare), submitted by @jd.thepiratechef and @jonoweinrich . . The Ningaloo Reef/Exmouth Gulf region is considered the southern end of their range They are nocturnally active and tend to rest/hide during the day in small holes or crevices in shallow reef, rock and seagrass areas Therefore they are quite tricky to find and a real treat to see! Belonging to the Hemiscyllium genus, they are presumably egg layi...ng like their relative, the Epaulette shark . . Thanks for the submission Jono and Jade See more

19.01.2022 Love the wedgefish action in this photo submission by @jd.thepiratechef, taken on a snorkel in the National Park recently Thanks for the submission Jade

19.01.2022 Love this photo submission by @elle_gillett of a strikingly beautiful Bottlenose Wedgefish (R. australiae) in Coral Bay These beautiful rays are now classified globally as critically endangered, lets hope this region can continue being a stronghold for them Have you seen one on the Ningaloo? Send your sightings to @fin_focus , via message on the Facebook page (link in bio)

18.01.2022 Come down to Froth Craft Brewery this Thursday to hear an update on the Fin Focus Citizen Science project

17.01.2022 A great result, considering its late in the season!!!

16.01.2022 Thanks to @markpanhuyzen for his submission of a rarely seen Ornate Eagle Ray These rays have a beautiful and unique pattern, and sadly they are now globally classified as endangered Have you seen one in the Ningaloo region? Please submit your sightings to help us gain more knowledge of their distribution here!

16.01.2022 Wow Sharks found within underwater active volcano Watch the video in this link! https://www.9news.com.au//db112bd9-21b2-46c2-9d58-ed07f981

15.01.2022 Manta research from Ningaloo

15.01.2022 Thanks to @saltyfolk for sharing this image of an ocellated eagle ray (Aetobatus ocellatus) from a recent day out on the Ningaloo Reef These beautiful rays are not a common sight here so its always exciting to see them . . They are classified globally as Vulnerable on the IUCN Redlist, however thankfully here they are not subject to as much fishing pressure as they are in other areas of their range In areas where they are fished they have a lower rebound potential as the...y are late to mature, have a 12 month gestation and only have up to 4 pups every 2-3 years . . Have you seen any type of eagle ray on the Ningaloo? Send your photo along with date and location to Fin Focus via Facebook message (link in Bio)Thank you! See more

14.01.2022 Big thanks to @nayneighh for her awesome observation skills and continued shark submissions Chanae saw this particular zebra (aka leopard) shark recently and realised it was the same individual she spotted at the same location last year, 274 days beforeKeep those sightings coming everyone, they are really valuable

13.01.2022 A beautiful encounter and picture of an Ornate Eagle Ray (Aetomylaeus vespertilio) by @naomirosephoto out with @coralbayeco . These large eagle rays are seemingly rare here (quite possibly naturally so) They are classified globally as Endangered (IUCN) due to suspected population declines as a result of very high levels of fishing pressure across most of their distribution Little is known of their reproductive biology although it is thought they may only have small litter sizes like some other Myliobatid rays... . Recording their presence is helpful for us to better understand them This is only the 8th sighting recorded on the @fin_focus database If you have seen one, we would love to know! Click the link in bio and send the date, location and photo via the Facebook page

13.01.2022 Thanks to @daisychain7399 for this beautiful leopard/zebra shark submission, taken on tour with @ningaloodiscovery If you have seen a leopard shark in the Ningaloo region, please share your sighting details with us via message on the Fin Focus Research Facebook page (link in Bio). All you need is the date, location and photo! These sharks are identified by their unique spot patterns, just between the gills and the 1st dorsal fin so side-on images of both sides is awesome, although any photos are welcome Thanks again Daisy

12.01.2022 Thanks to @wildlifeoftrav for this zebra shark (aka leopard shark) submission Travis spotted this beauty in the Exmouth Gulf recently Little is known of the leopard shark population in Western Australia so these sightings are really valuable - thank you and keep them coming

12.01.2022 Thanks to @kameika for these awesome photo submissions of a Great Hammerhead post-predation on a stingray Kameika and co. were very fortunate to have this observation with such a beautiful but usually timid speciesWe wonder how long she will swim with the tail hanging out like this . These sharks are globally classified as Endangered, although in Australia they are believed to be less threatened. . Another amazing observation in Ningaloo where there doesnt appear to be a shortage of rays for these sharks to prey upon

11.01.2022 A very cute peek at a zebra (aka leopard) shark by @elijahnewtron , seen in the Ningaloo Marine Park last season Thanks Elijah for your submissions

10.01.2022 Thanks to @oceanaimee for this lovely shot of a Bottlenose wedgefish (R. australiae) If you follow our posts, you might have noticed that other examples of this same species are very dark in colour (to almost black)..This is common with the larger/older animals of this species - just to keep things interesting and tricky! . . Thanks for your submissions AimeeIf youre in the Ningaloo region and interested in the project, please check out our Facebook page (Link in Bio)Fin Focus is currently targeting any ray sightings (especially wedgefish/Guitarfish/shark rays/sawfish), leopard /zebra sharks and any other rarely seen sharks or interactions If you have sightings with date, location and photo, please share with @fin_focus via Facebook message

10.01.2022 Thanks to @oceanaimee for this submission of a male Banded Numbfish (Narcine westraliensis) Aimee and her colleague @samcoephoto came across this tiny ray swimming repeatedly onto the sand during a pre-covid tour with Exmouth Adventure Co They promptly put him back in the water, but not before getting a small shockVery much in love with these rays that belong to the family Narcinidae, a group of electric rays that can produce an electric charge for defence In fact, their scientific name is derived from the Greek work Narke, meaning paralysis! These gorgeous little rays grow to at least 29cm and are endemic to a small region of WA, including the Ningaloo Thanks again Aimee

10.01.2022 Super excited to receive this recent Green Sawfish sighting, from the talented Microlight Pilot Gav at @birdseyeviewningaloo Just goes to show- you never know what you may see up here on the Ningaloo Reef, and the sky is the best place to be looking from! . Unfortunately, sawfish are amongst the most endangered rays in the world - and seeing one is generally rare, even in Australia which is somewhat of a stronghold for them Sightings of these rays are so important, letting us know where they still exist - have you seen one?

10.01.2022 Thanks to @scubajoshua for this Wedgefish submission from the Coral Bay area These shark-like rays are classified globally as Critically Endangered mostly due to exploitation by commercial fisheries and their high value fins, although they may be somewhat safer in Australian waters. Little is known of their distribution, movements and nursery areas - so sightings of them are very useful Thanks Josh

08.01.2022 Beautiful photos of a Painted Maskray (Neotrygon leylandi) taken by @ellehaskin and submitted by @cearaiona seen on a fun snorkel in the Exmouth Gulf . These lovely little maskrays are found on the Northwestern Australian shelf from the shore down to 200m deep and mostly feed on small crustaceans According to the IUCNs assessment, although individuals caught by prawn trawlers possibly suffer a high mortality rate, there are considerable areas of their range that are closed to trawling and therefore they are not considered to be of huge conservation concern.. . Have you seen an interesting ray in the Ningaloo region? If so, please send your sighting info (date, location and photo) to the link in bio These records help us in understanding current biodiversity and distribution Thanks Ceara and Elle @ Exmouth, Western Australia

08.01.2022 A huge THANK YOU to all the crew that submit weekly, its very much appreciated - and its what keeps the project going These guys and girls @ningaloowhalesharkswim have a stellar reporting rate since they began contributing to the project last year - Thank you

07.01.2022 Amazing documentation of a method used by white sharks to predate on whales

07.01.2022 Thank you @scubajoshua for this awesome and recent submission of a Shark Ray (aka Bowmouth Guitarfish) seen in Coral Bay . These rays belong to the family Rhinidae - the Wedgefishes Sadly, most of them (including this one) are now classified as Critically Endangered on the global IUCN Redlist, due to their fins having high value for shark fin soup and that they are also fished heavily for their meat. . Here in Australia they are thought to be somewhat safer... There i...s less fishing pressure, they arent targeted in commercial fisheries and turtle-exclusion devices (TEDs) are likely to reduce bycatch levels of these rays . Thanks for the submission @scubajoshua and lets keep them coming! See more

07.01.2022 Beautiful footage by @oceanaimee of leopard shark precopulatory behaviour on tour with @whalesharkdive on the Ningaloo Reef The male bites somewhat gently on the females caudal fin, which serves to roll her over for whats next..Hopefully successful mating followed later on

07.01.2022 Wow soooooo exciting!!!

05.01.2022 Every time we go out on a tour we can help out local research projects by reporting data, sending photos to their databases, etc... One of the organisations we ...liaise with is Fin Focus Research, whose aim is to record sharks and rays biodiversity and distribution in the Ningaloo Reef/Exmouth region, in order to further our knowledge and assist in conservation and management decisions. Here’s some footage of some species that are of particular interest to Fin Focus and other research databases. Anyone can contribute to the research by sending data and photos or footage! Let’s all be little citizen scientists together! :) [video by Chiara Bussini]

04.01.2022 Thanks to @amyunderwater for this beautiful submission of a Common or Australian blacktip shark (C. limbatus/tilstoni) These two species are almost indistinguishable to the eye in live specimensIf one measures well over 2m, its likely to be C. limbatus, as they grow larger Lovely conditions and a beautiful image Thanks Amy

04.01.2022 This curious female lemon shark came in for a look on a recent spearfishing trip How many of you see adult lemon sharks when snorkelling on the Ningaloo reef, when you arent spearing or fishing? Let me know!

03.01.2022 A big thanks to @jd.thepiratechef for her continued submissions She recently shared these photos of an amazing interaction with a mature-looking male zebra shark (aka leopard shark) in the Coral Bay area Thanks again Jade

01.01.2022 A big thanks to this amazing young lady and @fin_focus volunteer @cearaiona Ceara is a marine bio & dive instructor born in South Africa , raised in New Zealand and now we are lucky to have her in the Ningaloo Ceara is developing a Ray ID guide for the Industry Citizen Science project here, so we can improve our recording of rays in the region Thank you Ceara!

01.01.2022 Thanks to @oceanaimee for this submission of an Australian Bluespotted Maskray (Neotrygon australiae) . . These stingrays were previously referred to as Neotrygon kuhlii, but in recent years have been classified as a separate species occurring mostly here in Australia as well as eastern Indonesia and New Guinea .... . Submit your shark/ray photo submissions (along with date and location) via message at www.facebook.com/finfocusresearch/Thank you See more