Endangered Guitarfish Use Israeli Coast as Nurseries

Endangered guitarfish, a type of cartilaginous fish, are using Israel's Mediterranean coastline as a nursery area for their young. These unique creatures, known for their guitar-like body shape, are found in shallow, sandy coastal waters, particularly near Ma'agan Michael and Ashdod.

Dr. Adi Barash, founder of the "Sharks in Israel" organization, explained that two species are found in Israel: the smaller common guitarfish, listed as endangered, and the larger Atlantic guitarfish, critically endangered. While historically caught by fishermen, they have been protected by law in Israel since 2005, leading to a population recovery.

Guitarfish possess a specialized electric sensing system called ampullae of Lorenzini, allowing them to detect prey hidden in sand. They are also masters of camouflage, often burying themselves in the sand. After a gestation period of four to six months, females give birth to independent young in shallow, warm waters, which serve as safe "nursery zones" inaccessible to larger predators.

During September and October, young Atlantic guitarfish exhibit a peculiar behavior, briefly emerging onto wet sand before returning to the sea. "Sharks in Israel" is offering guided tours to observe this phenomenon and encourages the public to report sightings via their Facebook group to aid research.

The primary global threat to guitarfish is overfishing, but in Israel, habitat destruction and coastal development pose significant risks. Climate change also impacts them, as their life cycle is dependent on water temperature, potentially altering migration patterns and affecting oxygen levels in shallow nursery areas.