SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)
Rhinoptera bonasus
SPECIES NAME(s)
Cownose ray
COMMON NAMES
Cowfish
Rhinoptera bonasus, most commonly known as cownose rays, are a highly migratory species wintering off the coast of Florida (Grusha 2005). Life history and preliminary genetic studies suggest the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic cownose ray populations are separate stocks, but there is little else definitively known about the stock structure of this species (Fisher et al. In revision; Neil 2012; Collins et al. 2007). Currently cownose ray is landed mainly as bycatch of other fisheries, but there have been localized efforts to promote it as a fishery.
Management Quality:
< 6
< 6
NOT YET SCORED