POY 81 Science and Natural History
A single photograph that increases the understanding and appreciation of science or the natural world. Studio scenes that are arranged by the photographer are not eligible.
Award of Excellence: Shark Ray Thorns
Rings with thorns of critically endangered shark ray (Rhina ancylostomus) are seen displayed in a jewelry tray at a souvenir shop in Phuket, Thailand. The thorns of shark rays are believed to contain magical properties, granting protection to the wearers in traditional folk magic in Thailand, which has been driving the trade of this species for several generations. Despite being quite easily obtained online or at souvenir shops around seaside towns, a recent study published in 2023 just formally investigated the nature of the trade of the body parts of this poorly known species, which is often illegal as the species has received legal protection by Thai laws. Although the shark ray is a CITES-listed species, which requires a trade permit for the trading body parts overseas, while trading of new thorns has been illegal in Thailand since 2018, fresh supplies of these thorns are still smuggled across the borders where the majority are sourced from Myanmar and Indonesia. As shark rays are among the most threatened groups of marine fish, this direly overlooked trade that received limited attention from enforcement agencies raises a concern about the fate of this species that is close to extinction. The photo was taken on December 25, 2022.
