What is a Giant Guitarfish?
The Giant Guitarfish(Glaucostegus typus) is a medium-sized (to at least 270 cm total length) shark-like ray which is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific from India to Australia and north to Taiwan… Giant guitarfishes have limited biological productivity with small litter sizes; life history of the Giant Guitarfish is poorly known, but generation length is estimated as 15 years. The ‘white’ fins of shark-like rays (including sawfishes, wedgefishes, and giant guitarfishes) are considered the best quality fins for human consumption and are among the highest valued in the international shark fin trade. The meat is of high quality and generally consumed locally… It is inferred that the Giant Guitarfish has undergone a >80% population reduction over the last three generations (45 years) and it is assessed as Critically Endangered A2bd.’ (Source: UCN Red List of Threatened Species)
They have many common names, like whitespot ray, giant guitarfish, whitespotted wedgefish, whitespot shovelnose ray and even sandshark although they are technically rays.
Buying them on the market in Thailand
Often we visit fishing markets around Pattaya to see ‘what’s for sale’ and still alive. When we see endangered marine life species (IUCN status) we often buy them to release them back in the sea.
There is no governmental funding for this, we rely on donations from our customers and self-fund these purchases we find necessary for keeping our oceans healthy.
You can help us by contacting our marine conservation specialist and PADI dive instructor Rob for more information. There are also special PADI courses available to learn all about marine conservation and the release of marine life.
The PADI Reef Rewilder specialty is perfect for learning all about this subject!
Releasing 9 Juvenile Giant Guitarfish in Two Dives
The first release was done onto a no-fishing reef around the Samae San Islands, south of Pattaya. Six juvenile Giant guitarfish were released.
The second release was done at a dive spot we often go around Samae San.
Another three juvenile Giant guitarfish were released.
Of course we hope to spot them again while diving in the area.
