Saving Seret’s butterfly ray
In Badagry in Nigeria’s Lagos State, fishing sustains coastal communities. Fishers bring in rays and small sharks daily, but there is no monitoring system, no guidance on safe handling and little awareness of which species are threatened. Living in shallow waters, sandy bays and estuaries, Seret’s butterfly ray slips under the conservation radar. Although rarely targeted directly, it is often caught accidentally in gill nets and trawls. Kehinde is combining science with local knowledge to monitor catches, map critical habitats and test safer fishing methods to protect this ray and the livelihoods that depend on healthy seas.
Kehinde Adelakun
As a researcher, consultant and lecturer, I have built a career on protecting Nigeria’s coastal environment and the people who depend on it. With a strong background in fisheries science and marine conservation, I have worked on projects that bring science and communities together, focusing on biodiversity, sustainable fishing and the health of aquatic ecosystems. Beyond field work, I am deeply committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists. By guiding students and young researchers, I aim to ensure that knowledge is passed on and that conservation in Nigeria remains vibrant and innovative.
At the...
Conservation of Gymnura sereti: A Collaborative Approach to Protecting a Threatened Butterfly Ray Species
The major objective of the study is to understand and protect Seret’s butterfly ray in the coastal waters of Badagry, Nigeria, by working with local fishers to reduce bycatch and safeguard important habitats.
Seret’s butterfly ray is one of West Africa’s most overlooked marine species, yet it is being caught and lost in fishing nets every day. In Nigeria, we have almost no data on this ray, which means that its decline is happening unseen. This project is important because it will provide the first clear picture of the ray’s status; test practical ways to reduce accidental deaths; and build partnerships with communities that depend on the sea for their livelihoods.
Nigeria’s coastline is rich in marine life, but many of the species found here are under pressure. Sharks, rays and chimaeras play vital roles in ocean health, yet they are among the species that are least protected. Seret’s butterfly ray Gymnura sereti, a flat, disc-shaped ray that lives in shallow waters, sandy bays and estuaries, is one of these species. Although rarely targeted directly, it is often caught by accident in gill nets and trawls. These catches are not recorded, so the true scale of the problem remains hidden.
In Badagry, Lagos State, fishing is the main source of income for coastal communities. Fishers bring in rays and small sharks daily, but there is no monitoring system, no guidance on safe handling and little awareness of which species are at risk. At the same time, the habitats these rays depend on – mangroves, estuaries and shallow feeding grounds – are being lost to pollution, deforestation and development. This creates a double threat: too many rays caught and too few safe places left for them to live in.
Rays are in sharp decline globally, and West Africa is no exception. Without data, conservation is nearly impossible. This project will provide data by combining science with local knowledge. We will monitor catches, map critical habitats and test safer fishing methods to create practical solutions that protect both the species and the livelihoods that depend on healthy seas.
- To record bycatch levels by monitoring catches at landing sites and interviewing fishers.
- To identify and map critical habitats, including key nursery and feeding areas.
- To raise awareness in local communities about the importance of rays.
- To share findings with decision-makers to support stronger fisheries management and marine conservation.