ABSTRACT This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of batoids' strandings along the Brazilian coast between 2015 and 2023, totalling 1326 records involving 21 species. Our analyses revealed that 46.3% of the strandings were associated with anthropogenic activities, particularly incidental capture (bycatch), whereas 53.7% had undefined causes. The genera Rhinoptera , Hypanus and Pseudobatos were the most frequently recorded, with the highest concentration of occurrences in the transitional zone, corresponding to midlatitudes in southeastern Brazil. Most individuals were found dead and in an advanced state of decomposition, with only 16 specimens rescued alive. Canonical correspondence analysis and permutational multivariate analysis of variance indicated significant variation in community composition along the latitudinal gradient and among different types of interaction, highlighting the importance of regionally tailored conservation strategies. The high proportion of threatened species in the strandings underscores the urgent need for effective and permanent public policies, such as the strengthening of the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for the Conservation of Marine Sharks and Rays (PAN Tubarões) in Brazil. Our findings stress the importance of using stranding records as a complementary data source for assessing threats, particularly in areas where fisheries data are limited or unavailable. Expanding monitoring networks and fostering community engagement are essential for the preservation of marine biodiversity and the maintenance of ecological functioning in Brazil's coastal ecosystems.
Cutrim et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
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