The Lusitanian cownose ray (Rhinoptera marginata) is a medium-sized ray found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Portugal and the Mediterranean down to West Africa. Characterized by its distinctive, rounded head and wing-like pectoral fins, this species inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, and sometimes brackish environments. The main countries involved in harvesting the Lusitanian cownose ray are Senegal, Mauritania, Morocco, and other West African nations, where artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries target rays for their meat, which is consumed locally or sold in regional markets. In southern Europe, particularly Portugal and Spain, the species may be caught as bycatch in trawl and gillnet fisheries, but targeted fishing is less common. Due to its slow reproductive rate and vulnerability to overfishing, the Lusitanian cownose ray is considered Near Threatened, with concerns about population declines in areas of intense fishing pressure.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senegal | 805 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.