Very little is known about stingray ecology or the ecological functions stingrays perform in coral reef ecosystems. Stingrays are known to be preyed upon by sharks in these ecosystems, but it is unknown how strong the interaction is between these two species, and how declines in shark populations may affect stingray populations. This study will investigate stingrays’ use of space and habitat, and measure the abundance of stingrays and sharks at a coral reef site in Belize. Funding from the Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program has been used to tag stingrays with equipment that allows them to be tracked as they move through their habitat. Staff champion for this project is Allan Maguire, supervisor of Aquariums & Life Support.
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