Blackchin Guitarfish

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. 

“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.

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

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.

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

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.