Narcine brasiliensis, Lesser Numbfish

Abstract

The Lesser Numbfish (Narcine brasiliensis) is a small (to 45 cm total length) ray that occurs in the Southwest Atlantic from southern Brazil to Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It is benthic on soft substrates of the continental shelf at depths of 6?60 m. It is captured in intense and largely unmanaged commercial and artisanal trawl and beach seine fisheries throughout much of its geographic range. A population reduction is suspected from the peak and subsequent declines in reported ray landings from the Rio del Plata area. This species is discarded when caught and discard survival rates are unknown, but are suspected to be variable based on the injuries of captured individuals. Although this ray is subject to high fishing pressure across its range, it is still observed commonly in fisheries despite this pressure. It is suspected that the Lesser Numbfish has undergone a population reduction of 20-29% over the past three generations (26 years), and it is assessed as Near Threatened (nearly meeting Vulnerable A2d).