Guitarfishes or shovelnose rays or shovelnose sharks (family Rhinobatidae and order Rhinopristiformes) are large demersal elasmobranchs that occupy shallow coastal and continental shelf habitats worldwide [1][2]. Characterized by their flattened bodies and elongated snouts, guitarfishes represent an evolutionary and ecological link between sharks and rays. Guitarfish have a flattened body and enlarged pectoral fins fused to the head (a ray-like feature), but retain a well-developed tail with two dorsal fins like many sharks. This intermediate body form is why people describe them as shark-like rays [3]. Owing to their coastal distribution [4], slow growth, late maturity, and low reproductive output, many guitarfish species are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures, especially fishing activities [5]. Consequently, guitarfishes are currently among the most threatened groups of cartilaginous fishes globally [6][7]. The Mediterranean Sea supports two native guitarfish species: The Blackchin Guitarfish (Glaucostegus cemiculus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) and the Common Guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos Linnaeus, 1758) [2][8][9]. Like other guitarfish species, the two species in question are demersal and closely associated with shallow sandy and muddy substrates, where they play an important ecological role as benthic predators, feeding primarily on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes [10][11]. There are occasional records of other guitarfish species (e.g., Halavi Guitarfish Glaucostegus halavi) in the eastern Mediterranean [12], but these are rare and not considered established resident species; their regular occurrence hasn’t been confirmed [13].

The Blackchin Guitarfish, also known as the Blackchin or Giant Guitarfish, is distributed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, with its Mediterranean range extending mainly along the southern and eastern coasts [14][15], particularly off North Africa and the Levantine Basin [8][9][11][16]. Adults and juveniles inhabit coastal waters and the continental shelf, generally at depths shallower than 100 m, where they are highly susceptible to fishing pressure. This species has undergone severe population declines throughout its range and is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, primarily due to intensive fishing, bycatch in trawl and net fisheries, and ongoing coastal habitat degradation [17]. The Common Guitarfish was historically widespread throughout the Mediterranean Sea but has experienced dramatic declines over recent decades [8]. Once common in both northern and southern Mediterranean waters, it is now considered rare and patchily distributed, with remaining populations mainly confined to the southern and eastern parts of the basin [8][18]. Similar to the Blackchin Guitarfish, this species is highly vulnerable to coastal fisheries and habitat disturbance and is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List [8].

Despite their critical conservation status, information on the distribution, abundance, and population trends of both guitarfish species remains limited in several parts of the Mediterranean, particularly in the eastern and southeastern basin. Improving regional knowledge of their occurrence and status is therefore essential to inform effective conservation and management measures aimed at preventing further population declines and potential local extirpations [16][17]. Several studies on the distribution, biology, and ecology of guitarfish species in the Mediterranean Sea have been conducted across different countries. In Türkiye, these include Akyol and Capapé [11], Ismen et al. [19], Çek et al. [20], Demirhan [21], Başusta et al. [22]-[24], Filiz et al. [25], and Bengil et al. [26][27]. In Tunisia, studies have been reported by Capapé et al. [10], Capapé and Zaouali [28], Diop [29], Enajjar et al. [30][31], Rafrafi-Nouira et al. [32], and Taktek et al. [33]. Other Mediterranean countries with relevant research include Egypt [34][35], Libya [36], Lebanon [37][38], Syria [39], and Greece [40].

There are currently no published studies in the Gaza Strip addressing the biology, ecology or fisheries of guitarfishes in the local marine ecosystem. Nevertheless, some local research indicated that Gazans consume cartilaginous fishes, including guitarfishes, and other studies have documented the use of these species in taxidermy or as educational models for cartilaginous fish dissection in biology courses at Palestinian universities in the Gaza Strip [41]-[43]. The present study aims to provide baseline information on the status of two guitarfish species—namely, the Blackchin Guitarfish (Glaucostegus cemiculus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) and the Common Guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos Linnaeus, 1758)—which are caught and monitored in the coastal waters of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. The importance of this study lies in the fact that it is the first to examine the status of guitarfishes found in the marine ecosystem of the Gaza Strip, from which they are caught for human consumption.

This descriptive study was based on the collection of data and photographic records documenting the Blackchin Guitarfish (Glaucostegus cemiculus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) and the Common Guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos Linnaeus, 1758), both are caught in the coastal waters of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Although the first species is very rare and scarce, the second species is caught more and sold openly in the markets. Information was obtained through communication with the General Directorate of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture and with local fishermen. Data on guitarfish landings in the Gaza Strip were obtained from official records maintained by the General Directorate of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture, the authority responsible for documenting all fisheries-related data in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip, located in the southeastern Mediterranean Sea, extends approximately 42 km along the coast, covers an area of about 365 km², and supports a population exceeding 2.4 million inhabitants. The fishing sector comprises more than 4,500 fishermen operating over 1,800 vessels using a variety of fishing gears.

The current results confirm that guitarfish constitute a constant element in the demersal fisheries of the Gaza Strip, as the Common Guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos Linnaeus, 1758) is the dominant species in the local catch, as revealed by several published studies [42]-[44]. This finding aligns with regional studies from the eastern Mediterranean and Levant Basin, where the Common Guitarfish is reported as one of the most frequently encountered Rhinopristiformes rays in coastal waters [7][45]. In contrast, the Blackchin Guitarfish (Glaucostegus cemiculus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) was found to be considerably rarer in the Gaza Strip’s waters, a pattern consistent with its low encounter rates across much of the Mediterranean Sea [46].

The marked difference in abundance between the two species may reflect ecological, biological, and fisheries-related factors, including habitat preference, depth distribution, body size, and vulnerability to fishing gear. The Blackchin Guitarfish, which commonly exceeds 150 - 200 cm in total length, is known to inhabit deeper and less accessible demersal habitats compared to the Common Guitarfish, increasing its susceptibility to population depletion and reducing encounter frequency in artisanal fisheries [7][47]. The morphological features described in this study, such as the snout shape and the distinctive dark spot on the ventral surface of the Blackchin Guitarfish’s snout, support accurate species identification and are consistent with accepted taxonomic descriptions [47][48].

Guitarfishes in the Gaza Strip are captured through multiple demersal fishing methods, including specialized guitarfish nets (Sharak Al-Salafeeh), gillnets, trawl nets, trammel nets, and bottom longlines. This diversity of capture techniques reflects the strong overlap between guitarfish habitats and commercially exploited demersal fishing grounds. Similar interactions between guitarfishes and bottom fishing gears have been widely documented throughout the Mediterranean and globally [35][36][38][47][49]-[51]. The use of locally designed guitarfish nets (Sharak Al-Salafeeh) illustrates an adaptive artisanal fishing strategy targeting large batoids, including guitarfishes and stingrays. While such specialization increases fishing efficiency, it also raises conservation concerns, as cartilaginous fishes exhibit slow growth, late maturity, and low fecundity, making them particularly vulnerable to sustained fishing pressure [6][52]. Additionally, the frequent bycatch of juvenile Common Guitarfish in trammel nets and gillnets suggests ongoing recruitment removal, which can significantly reduce population resilience over time [53].

Guitarfishes, mainly Common Guitarfishes, form a component of small-scale fisheries in the Gaza Strip, predominantly caught as bycatch in bottom fishing gear operations [6][54]. Between 2009 and 2023, the average annual catch of guitarfishes was 6,121 kilograms; with the Common Guitarfish being the most common species (see Figure 5). Annual production varied, ranging from 1,491 kilograms in 2009 to a peak of 10,535 kilograms in 2021, reflecting changes in fishing effort, gear efficiency, and environmental fluctuations [55]. The poor recording of clear landings of guitarfishes and other cartilaginous and bony fish species during 2024, 2025 and beyond highlights the vulnerability of fisheries in the Gaza Strip to prevailing social, political and military turmoil. In the aftermath of the Israeli war that followed October 7, 2023, the closure of the coasts, the ban on fishing, and the destruction of more than 90% of fishing equipment led to a clear halt in fishing activities, affecting local livelihoods and food security [56]. Despite this, the Common Guitarfish still occasionally appears in some fish markets, confirming its importance as a catch. Some local fishermen were able to risk their lives during the raging Israeli war to catch certain species of cartilaginous and bony fishes in the hope of filling a small part of the shortage of important fish protein in light of the severe famine imposed by the Israeli occupation on Gazans during its fierce war (Persona; Observations).

Although guitarfishes are not staple food fish in the Gaza Strip, the Common Guitarfish holds clear socioeconomic value, as reflected in its regular presence in local markets and its relatively high price compared to many small pelagic fishes. Similar consumption patterns have been reported across the Mediterranean, where elasmobranchs are often consumed opportunistically rather than forming the basis of daily diets [57][58]. Cultural preparation methods, such as frying and incorporation into traditional dishes like Sayadieh, highlight the species’ integration into local culinary practices. In contrast, the Blackchin Guitarfish contributes minimally to consumption due to its rarity in catches. This supports broader Mediterranean observations where large Rhinopristiformes rays are infrequently landed and poorly represented in markets due to population declines [46][59].

Beyond their value for fisheries and consumption, Common Guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) also play a significant role in academic education and scientific training in the Gaza Strip [41][43]. Their intermediate morphology between sharks and rays makes them excellent teaching models for vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, and marine biology [60]. The use of guitarfishes and small sharks for educational purposes has been documented globally, particularly in regions where access to preserved specimens is limited [61]. Preservation of specimens in museum collections further enhances their long-term educational value and contributes to biodiversity documentation. Such collections are increasingly recognized as critical tools for conservation awareness, baseline biodiversity assessments, and historical comparisons of species occurrence [62].

Although their critically endangered status is officially recognized, most Gazan fishermen remain unaware, resulting in continued fishing pressure [55]. From a conservation perspective, the increasing capture of guitarfishes and other cartilaginous species in the Gaza Strip—and potentially in neighboring countries—raises significant sustainability concerns, particularly as effective conservation measures have become increasingly challenging to implement. In the Israeli entity, as a precautionary measure, a potential nursery area was identified near the Mediterranean coast for the Blackchin Guitarfish, as described by Azrieli et al. [16]. This is due to the sharp decline in guitarfish species population throughout their known range in the Mediterranean [63]. In fact, both the Common Guitarfish and Blackchin Guitarfish are endangered in the Mediterranean due to overfishing and habitat degradation as pointed out by IUCN [64] and Soldo et al. [65]. As political, social, and economic conditions in the Gaza Strip improve, ongoing monitoring and the adoption of sustainable fishing practices will be critical to ensuring the long-term survival of endangered cartilaginous fishes including the two guitarfish species in question.

The authors thank the General Directorate of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture and the Gazan fishermen for their support and cooperation in this modest study, the first of its kind in Palestine.