Divers horrified by dismembered bull rays in Sydney’s Chowder Bay
In summary:
Divers were horrified to find the dismembered carcasses of two well-known bull rays in Chowder Bay on Sydney’s lower north shore.
Catching rays is not illegal, but fishermen are advised not to disturb rays near fish cleaning facilities.
What happens next?
The Department of Primary Industries said officials are conducting an investigation.
Local divers are outraged over the killing of a well-known pair of giant bull rays after their dismembered remains were found off a popular dive site on Sydney’s lower north shore.
In Chowder Bay, divers found two large bull ray carcasses with severed fins.
The incident has heightened tensions on Clifton Gardens beach, which is used by fishermen and divers who use the long pier.
Diver Jayne Jenkins, co-founder of the Facebook group “Friends of Chowder Bay,” called the discovery “the most inhumane thing I have ever seen in my life.”
“I’ve been diving with them for over 14 years and they come in, swim around and destroy fishermen’s bait,” Ms Jenkins said.
“They never harassed divers, they just ran away.”
Local diver and marine biologist Dr. Bill Gladstone was also saddened by the discovery.
“Fishing is not illegal. It is a great sport and a good source of food for people. But these rays are an exception,” said Dr. Gladstone.
“These were the residents and these are the ones we see all the time.”
Ms Jenkins is convinced that the rays were photographed at night to avoid the attention of the diving community.
Deaths are being investigated
Bull rays, also known as common skates, are not an endangered species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers the rays to be “least concern.”
A spokesman for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said recreational fishermen are allowed to catch rays outside protected marine areas.
“DPI advises the public not to directly attack, disturb or interact with rays near boat ramps and fish cleaning facilities as they are often of social importance to local communities,” the spokesperson said.
DPIRD officials are investigating reports of Roche’s death, the spokesman said.
“Times are tough”
Stan Konstantaras, president of the Recreational Fishing Alliance NSW, said anglers were allowed to catch rays as long as they adhered to the five-ray saltwater catch limit, meaning only five rays could be caught per day.
Mr Konstantaras said he had eaten rays as a child in a Greek family and could therefore understand why the fish might have been hunted for their wings.
“Times are pretty tough. Five years ago they (the fishermen) might have let the rays go. Today, one ray might provide two or three meals for a family struggling to survive,” said Mr Konstantaras.
“I could think of a hundred other, worse fish to eat.
“Go to the fish market and you will see ray wings and ray wings.”
Mr Konstantaras says it is more responsible to dispose of fish skeletons and meat scraps, also called “frames,” in deeper water.
In this way, the remains become food for other fish and crustaceans.
“Most fishermen are careful not to dump the fish near the shore,” said Konstantaras.
“The divers should be a little bit aware that it is a good thing that we are putting it back in the water.
“As fishermen, we also have a responsibility to keep the place clean and ensure that our practices do not reflect badly on us.”
Ms Jenkins fears the large remains could attract sharks to Chowder Bay.
“The carcasses down there, who knows what kind of life is getting into there that doesn’t normally come into the bay,” she said.
