New paper on current methods and best practice recommendations for skate and ray
In a new paper ‘Current methods and best practice recommendations for skate and ray (Batoidea) research: capture, handling, anaesthesia, euthanasia, and tag attachment’ from MaREI’s Danielle Orrell from University College Cork along with 15 experts.
Abstract
Skates and rays (Batoidea) play a significant ecological role, contributing to ecosystem services through bioturbation and acting as vital intermediate components of the trophic chain in various aquatic environments. Despite their wide global distribution and ecological importance, batoids receive less attention than their shark relatives, resulting in substantial knowledge gaps that might impede a comprehensive understanding of their conservation status. This review addresses critical aspects of their capture, handling, tagging, and release to provide readers with crucial information needed to perform research on batoids. Protocols for analgesia, anaesthesia, and euthanasia are also discussed, taking into account the ethical and logistical considerations necessary for research involving this group of species. This information can give researchers and ethics committees the knowledge to conduct and approve studies involving batoids, thereby promoting more effective and ethical research practices.
This work was conducted thanks to the financial support provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the CETUS Project.
