Examining shark and ray catches in small-scale fisheries of the Riau islands to inform conservation planning of a critically endangered wedge fish

The Clown Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus cooki) was previously considered possibly extinct until it was recorded in 2019, bringing hope for Indonesia's marine biodiversity. Indonesia's marine resources are a conservation priority, but conservation measures must consider coastal community dependency on the resources to ensure the successful implementation of management measures. This research aims to understand the level of exploitation of rhino rays in Indonesian fisheries, provide information about the socio-ecological status of rhino rays based on local knowledge, the geographic range, habitat, and ecology of the Clown Wedgefish, and develop a conservation action plan for rhino rays throughout Indonesia with a focus on the highly threatened Clown Wedgefish.