The longtail stingray (Dasyatis longa), recognized by its elongated whip-like tail and broad, diamond-shaped disc, inhabits coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, particularly from California to Peru. This species is often caught as bycatch in commercial trawl and gillnet fisheries, rather than being a primary target. The top countries involved in harvesting longtail stingrays are Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador, where artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries operate along the Pacific coast. In these regions, stingrays are valued for their meat, which is consumed locally or sold in regional markets. While the longtail stingray is not a major focus of industrial fisheries, its incidental capture is significant enough to warrant monitoring, as overexploitation and habitat degradation could threaten local populations.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecuador | 35 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.