Stingray

The genus Dasyatis belongs to the family Dasyatidae and the order Myliobatiformes. These cartilaginous fish are prominent in coastal marine ecosystems and often interact with human-managed aquatic areas, making them relevant to aquaculture management.

These organisms are considered pests in the context of commercial mariculture. While they do not affect terrestrial agriculture, they pose a significant threat to shellfish and crustacean farming, as they are opportunistic predators capable of devastating crops grown on the seabed or in cages.

The biology of Dasyatis is marked by ovoviviparity and significant physiological resilience. Their development cycle is characterized by slow growth but high offspring survival rates. Furthermore, their toxic tail spine serves as a defense mechanism, which complicates manual extraction or removal from farming zones.

The primary damage caused by stingrays includes the direct predation of cultivated species and structural destruction of containment nets and gear. Their habit of burying themselves in the substrate makes them difficult to spot and control until extensive damage to the farm stock has already occurred.

Integrated control measures include:

• Deployment of heavy-duty reinforced netting at the seabed level.
• Implementation of acoustic deterrent systems specific to elasmobranchs.
• Habitat modification to make substrate less attractive for foraging.
• Regular underwater surveillance using robotic sensors to detect the presence of predators.