Releasing 9 Giant Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae)
Having raised the awareness of the local fishing community about how rare these fish are worldwide, we were surprised and pleased when the captain in charge donated 6 extra Giant Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae) to the programme.
The first release was done onto a wreck around the Samae San Islands naval protected area, south of Pattaya. Five juveniles were released.
The second release was done at a dive spot we often visit for marine conservation purposes in Samae San. Another four juvenile Giant wedgefish were released with a group of snorkeling guests able to witness the surface action.
It was decided to release them on two different sites so that they would spread out more widely, and because of the challenging nature of the first release site (SCUBA diving with strong currents on a deep shipwreck). Although we can’t guarantee that these fish will survive to adulthood, we can do our best to rescue a generation that would otherwise be wiped out, thereby helping Nature to continue the ancient work of the evolution of species. These elasmobranchs will be able to do their ecological jobs in the sea for many years to come.
It is quite humbling to think that, when doing shark release, we are giving a second chance to a doomed generation that would otherwise end up as seafood. Of course we hope to spot them again while diving in the area!
If you want to protect the marine environment, please contact us to learn how you can help.
What is a Giant Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae)?
‘The Bottlenose Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae) is a large (to ~300 cm total length) shark-like ray which is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific from Mozambique to the Solomon Islands and north to Taiwan. It occurs in coastal and continental shelf waters from close inshore to depths of at least 60 m. …The ‘white’ fins of shark-like rays (including sawfishes, wedgefishes, and giant guitarfishes) are considered the best quality fins for human consumption and are among the highest valued in the international shark fin trade. The meat is of high quality and generally consumed locally…Where wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes have been targeted or exploited as incidental catch, severe declines, population depletions, and localized disappearances have occurred…It is inferred that the Bottlenose Wedgefish has undergone a >80% population reduction over the last three generations (45 years) and it is assessed as Critically Endangered A2bd.’
(Source: UCN Red List of Threatened Species)
Buying them on the market in Thailand
Often we visit fishing markets around Pattaya to see ‘what’s for sale’ and still alive. When we see endangered marine life species (IUCN status) we often buy them to release them back in the sea.
There is no governmental funding for this, we rely on donations from our customers and self-fund these purchases we find necessary for keeping our oceans healthy.
You can help us by contacting our marine conservation specialist and PADI dive instructor Rob for more information. There are also special PADI courses available to learn all about marine conservation and the release of marine life.
The PADI Reef RewPADI Specialtiesilder specialty is perfect for learning all about this subject!