Overview
- A diver reported a single Aetomylaeus bovinus in Valkane Bay near Pula on July 6, observed for about ten minutes at 4–10 meters and described as roughly 1.5 meters wide with about 40 smaller fish following it.
- Researchers at the Miramare marine protected area recently documented an aggregation of more than 50 of the same species in the Gulf of Trieste, the largest recorded there.
- The duckbill eagle ray is listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List and is suspected to have declined by more than 80% over the last three generations due mainly to fishing and bycatch.
- Scientists point to several plausible drivers for the sightings, including stricter, more selective fishing rules that help reproduction, concentrated food at mussel farms, and changing sea conditions, and deterrent trials using magnetic systems are already underway at aquaculture sites.
- Authorities and conservation groups are increasing monitoring and considering tighter fishing rules to reduce bycatch and manage aquaculture–wildlife interactions, while it remains unknown whether the Pula individual is linked to the Trieste aggregation.