Endangered Status Review for Undulate ray, Raja undulata

For the purposes of this status review, the best available information were reviewed, both through submission during the public comment period. We received one comment from the petitioners reiterating their data and rationale for petitioning the undulate ray for listing under the ESA. I also conducted a literature search including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts, and reports available through websites such as the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the United Kingdom Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). I conducted the literature search through December 31, 2014. I organized the information based largely on the demographic risk factors described in McElhany et al. (2000) (i.e., population size, growth rate and related parameters, spatial structure, diversity) to determine the species’ status. I considered the ESA section 4(a)(1) (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1); 50 CFR 424.11(c)) threat factors: the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat or range; overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; disease or predation; inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and any other natural or manmade factors affecting the species' existence.