Do NOT "De-tail" A Stingray!

   For the past few days, we have not been able to catch a single fish worth keeping for our lunch.  It seems as if the fish have gone elsewhere for the time being.  We cannot even catch any bait which is surprising.  One lone minnow was caught and that brought in one fish albeit not one that I deem edible.  The tiniest stingray was the only thing pulled onto the pier.  The little ray was only about the size of a saucer!  I found it to be adorable...dangerous even at that size...but adorable.  Of course, I was extra careful as I unhooked and released the baby.

  The unhooking made me think of how some people do this fish a terrible injustice.  Instead of carefully unhooking or even cutting the line, a lot of people will either kill the ray or, worse yet, cut off its tail.  Killing is bad enough (if you are not going to eat it, don't kill it!) but cutting off the tail then releasing is just downright cruel.  The poor fish usually dies a very slow death from this due to infection setting in the wound site.  Simply snipping off the barb is the best way to "disarm" a stingray.  Do not mangle the poor fish.  Snipping the barb will not hurt it and the barb will eventually grow back.  That barb is the only defense a ray has against predators.

  Using care, it is not impossible to remove the hook but, if fear keeps you from doing this, simply cut the line as close to the fish as you dare reach then release the fish. Even this is better than removing the entire tail.  It is a fact that stingrays are actually rather docile yet curious beings. They have no desire to hurt anyone but will defend themselves if they feel threatened. Folks, just be kind.