Catch/release stingray

[billingw]

While visiting Naples, Florida city pier, a stingray was caught by a fisherman and brought up to the pier humanely with help from others who used a large metal ring with net attached. They also used this ring for raising pelicans who were accidently hooked. My question: why did they cut off, first, the barb and then, second, the entire tail of the ray? I believe they then released it, but maybe they kept it for food or for some other reason. Some people were , thinking it was mutilation. The ray was about 1.5 to 2 feet in diameter and lightly colored.
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[tubeN2]

Welcome to Big Fish Tackle and thanks for your question.

It sounds that the angler obviously doesn't know how the Stingray lives and defends itself.

The barb or stinger on the tail is the Stingrays only defense against would be attackers. Too many people keep them as a prize but leave the tail intact since the Stingray can grow a new stinger.

By cutting off the tail, the Ray is now defensless and vulnerable to attack. That is not the propper way to catch and release a Ray.

Although the Stingray can be eaten and is a delicacy by certain cultures, the wings are the only edible part of the Ray.

Ignorance on behalf of various anglers are what mess up the fishery as well as the ecosystem for many of our species throughout the world.[unsure]
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