Stingray found off Southwold

A juvenile stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca) was caught in a gillnet at Southwold on Thursday (15 July) by fisherman Nick Curtis. The small male, which measured 37 cm in length, and 20.5 cm across the wings, was subsequently released alive at Southwold.

Stingrays, which can grow to 60 cm disc width, are southerly species that are more common in the Mediterranean, and are occasionally recorded in the southern North Sea, usually in the summer. Stingrays are harmful to shellfish banks and can be dangerous to bathers due to their poisonous spine. They are NOT, however, a "killer fish" so the public should not be unduly alarmed.

Following on from the recent landings of thresher sharks off the eastern coast of the UK, scientists from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) would welcome other reports of unusual fish. They can be contacted at their Lowestoft laboratory on 01502 562244.