Article Summary:

A census of the number of rays that frequent the Cayman Islands iconic Stingray City has showed a sharp decline in their numbers.  Personnel from the Guy Harvey Research Institute collaborated with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment to carry out the count. In addition, three researchers from the Georgia Aquarium undertook a health survey of the stingrays.The decline had been witnessed by anecdotal reports for as far back as 2010, but the 2012 survey shows a 38% drop in numbers compared to 2008. Investigations are being carried out as to potential causes for this. (Image by Alex Mustard)