Shovelnose Guitarfish | Oceana
Home / Shovelnose Guitarfish
Marine Life Encyclopedia > Sharks & Rays > Shovelnose Guitarfish

Shovelnose Guitarfish

The shovelnose guitarfish is a bottom-dwelling species found along the Pacific coast of North America. Though technically a type of ray, its body uniquely combines features of both sharks and rays, giving it a distinct appearance.

 

Found in shallow, coastal waters from central California to the Gulf of Mexico, the shovelnose guitarfish inhabits bays, sloughs, and estuaries, typically settling on soft sandy or muddy bottoms. Its body sports the typical wing-like pectoral fins of all rays, but otherwise its shape closely resembles a shark’s. Its gray black coloration helps it blend in with the sand and hide itself from predators above.  

These guitarfish may also bury themselves in sediment on the seafloor as additional camouflage. As bottom-dwelling predators, the shovelnose guitarfish feeds on crabs, clams, small fish, and other species that tend to dwell on the seafloor. While adult shovelnose guitarfish have few natural predators, juveniles may be hunted by animals such as California sea lions, ospreys, and great blue herons. 

 

 

While not currently listed as endangered, shovelnose guitarfish face several threats from human activity. Across its range, the species has declined by nearly 30% over the past three generations (27 years). The shovelnose guitarfish is listed as near threatened globally on the IUCN Red List. 

Overfishing and bycatch 

These rays may be caught by artisanal fishers or taken accidentally by trawlers or gillnets in Mexican waters.  

Habitat Loss 

They also suffer habitat loss and modification, as estuaries they feed and reproduce in are being destroyed or modified. 

 

 

Oceana is continuing to work around the world to mitigate the effects of overfishing and increase the number of fisheries with management plans and catch limits. Our campaigns also focus on protecting important seafloor habitat for wildlife like shovelnose guitarfish. We have already helped protect more than 4 million miles of ocean habitats, and we continue to work with our allies towards the global goal of protecting 30% of ocean habitat by 2030.

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED

DONATE TODAY

SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean.

DONATE

TAKE ACTION NOW

SUPPORT POLICY CHANGE FOR THE OCEANS

Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

ACT NOW

VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

SHOP THE STORE

DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!

LEARN MORE

FEATURED CAMPAIGN

Save the Oceans, Feed the World

We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.

Learn More

MORE CAMPAIGNS

Protect Habitat

Bycatch

Plastics

View All

CONTACT

Oceana International Headquarters
1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036 USA

General Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
info@oceana.org

Donation Inquiries
+1(202)-569-4895
wavemaker@oceana.org

Press Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
press@oceana.org

OCEANA'S EFFICIENCY

BECOME A WAVEMAKER

Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A DONATION

We have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.

Donate Now

QUICK LINKS: