The Top Banded Guitarfish (*Zapteryx exasperata*), also known as the banded guitarfish, is a ray species found primarily in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from California to Peru, including the Gulf of California. Distinguished by its flattened body and characteristic dark bands across its back, this species inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow coastal waters. The banded guitarfish is targeted by small-scale and artisanal fisheries, primarily in Mexico, where it is caught for its meat and fins. Mexico stands out as the leading country in harvesting this species, particularly along the Pacific coast and in the Gulf of California. Other countries with smaller-scale fisheries for the banded guitarfish include Peru and, to a lesser extent, Ecuador. The fishing industry for this species is mostly unregulated, contributing to concerns about overexploitation and population decline, especially in Mexican waters where demand for guitarfish fins persists.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.