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Species Directory

Blackchin Guitarfish

Overview Conservation & Management Resources

Blackchin Guitarfish

Rhinobatos cemiculus

640x427-Guitarfish_Blackchin.jpg

Protected Status

ESA Threatened - Foreign
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Weight
Up to 57 pounds
Lifespan
Unknown
Length
Up to 8 feet
Threats
Commercial fishing, Subsistence fishing
Region
Foreign
See Regulatory Actions

About The Species

The blackchin guitarfish is a cartilaginous fish, similar to a ray or skate. The species once occurred in shallow waters throughout the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Portugal to Angola. It no longer occurs in many areas of the Mediterranean, and it is rare in West Africa. The main threats to the blackchin guitarfish are commercial fishing to supply the shark fin trade and subsistence fishing to supply meat to growing coastal populations. In 2017, NOAA Fisheries listed the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The common guitarfish and Brazilian guitarfish are also listed under the Endangered Species Act. 

Protected Status

ESA Threatened - Foreign

  • Throughout Its Range

Appearance

“Blackchin” refers to the dark spot on the snout and is especially noticeable in juveniles. The blackchin guitarfish is brown on top and white underneath. It has small thorns throughout its body

Behavior and Diet

The blackchin guitarfish eats invertebrates, such as shrimp and other crustaceans.

Where They Live

The blackchin guitarfish lives in shallow, sandy and muddy bottom habitats. It occurs in the Atlantic Ocean, from northern Portugal to Angola. In the Mediterranean Sea, it occurs primarily along the North African shore (in the waters of Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya) and the Eastern basin, from Turkey to Israel. The species is no longer found in the waters of Spain, Italy, and the Aegean Sea.

Lifespan & Reproduction

Female blackchin guitarfish give birth to live young in the shallow waters of West Africa during August and September.

Threats

Commercial and subsistence fishing

The blackchin guitarfish is targeted for its fins to meet the high demand for shark fins in eastern and southeastern Asia. It is also targeted for its meat by coastal populations in several countries.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Chondrichthyes
Order Rajiformes
Family Rhinobatidae
Genus Rhinobatos
Species cemiculus

In the Spotlight

Management Overview

The blackchin guitarfish is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.


Regulatory History

In 2013, NOAA Fisheries received a petition to list the blackchin guitarfish as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. In our 90-day finding, we concluded that the petitioned action may be warranted. After completing a Status Review, we proposed to list the species as threatened and requested comments from the public. In 2017, NOAA Fisheries listed the blackchin guitarfish as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

Final Rule To List Two Guitarfishes as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act

We, NOAA Fisheries, issue a final rule to list two foreign marine guitarfish species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We considered comments submitted on the proposed listing rule and have determined that the blackchin guitarfish (Rhinobatos…
  • Final Rule (82 FR 6309, January 19, 2017)
  • Proposed Rule (81 FR 64094, September 19, 2016)
  • 90-day Finding (79 FR 10104, February 24, 2014)
  • Status review of the common and blackchin guitarfishes
  • Petition (2013)
Final Rule
,
National
Effective
February 21, 2017

More Information

  • Listing Foreign Species Under the ESA

Science Overview

Documents

Document

Status Review Report of Two Species of Guitarfish : Rhinobatos Rhinobatos and Rhinobatos Cemiculus

This report is the status review for 2 species of guitarfish : Rhinobatos Rhinobatos and Rhinobatos…

International
More Documents
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