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Data on the reproductive biology of elasmobranchs are essential for understanding their life history. Published studies on batoid ray reproductive biology are comparatively scarce, leading to limited understanding and data gaps. The Oceania fantail ray, Taeniura lessoni, is a good example. This Data Deficient nearshore stingray is restricted to Melanesia, with lacking biological and ecological data, including reproduction. To expand upon the limited life-history data for this species, this short paper provides observational data on the reproductive condition in female T. lessoni, at Drawaqa Island, Fiji. Field work involved direct observations and ocean temperature measurements. Over 40 days spanning three months, 105 surveys were conducted across five sites, resulting in 71 sightings of the species. Based on spot patterns and body markings, four female individuals were identified. Between January and March 2024, these females exhibited convex dorsa indicating advanced gestation, transitioning to concave dorsa suggesting parturition. The presence of neonates from early March onwards coincided with the estimated parturition period inferred from the rays' condition. Furthermore, a female previously pregnant was photographed with a dermal abrasion around her pectoral fin, possibly indicating pre-copulatory biting, suggesting a continuous reproductive cycle. The average monthly water temperature at the surveyed sites remained relatively stable throughout the study. Collectively, our findings suggest that Drawaqa Island provides suitable habitat niches for reproductive activities in female T. lessoni. Repeated and long-term data is certainly needed to confirm either a continuous reproductive cycle or seasonal peaks. While preliminary, our observational data represents the first documentation on female reproductive condition in a stingray in Fiji. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharks and rays are a relevant component of Fiji's small-scale fishery. However, existing data are skewed towards sharks, leaving fishery activities for rays less understood. To document species-specific catch numbers, sex, and age-classes of captured rays, the Suva fish market on Fiji's main island Viti Levu was surveyed for one year from January 2022 to January 2023. Among the 192 individual rays recorded in Suva, five species were visually identified: maskray (Neotrygon sp.), spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus ocellatus), pink whipray (Pateobatis fai), Oceania fantail ray (Taeniura lessoni), and porcupine ray (Urogymnus asperrimus). DNA barcoding did not provide unequivocal species confirmation. The maskray and spotted eagle ray were the most captured and traded species. To further characterize the fishery and to capture the relevance of rays to food security, 84 fishers and market vendors were interviewed in coastal communities and at local fish markets. The interviews revealed that 70.4% of the interviewees caught rays, of which 60% reported to spear them. Rays were considered a moderately important resource but were particularly relevant to food security as substitute for bony fish. Given the life histories and global declines of many ray species, explicitly considering rays in management arrangements for coastal fisheries and enhancing compliance and enforcement of existing regulations, is vital to safeguard Fiji's coastal ray populations. Overall, these findings provide baseline information for monitoring Fiji's small-scale ray fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]