Smooth Stingray

smooth stingray
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit2

 

possession limit4

 

boat limit5

Bag and possession limits are for sharks and rays other than school, gummy, mako, blue, or elephantfish combined. Boat limit is for all shark and ray species combined, excluding elephantfish.

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Other names

short-tail stingray


Scientific name

Dasyatis brevicaudata

Grows to


Up to

4.3 meters and 350kg

Identifying features


​A large stingray which is greyish-brown to black in colour with a paler underside. There are irregular rows of white spots on the upper body near the head and a relatively short whip-like tail.

Area Restricton 

Do not take in shark refuge areas​.​

Habitat:

This bottom dwelling stingray lives over sand and reef in coastal waters and estuaries from shallow water down to about 170 metres.

Fishing information:

Normally captured around Tasmania by fishers targeting gummy sharks on rod and line off beaches at night.  They provide a heavy and slow fight on this gear if hooked.  Also occasionally taken on longlines or in beach seines at night.

Handling:

The smooth stingray has one venomous spine or sting halfway along the tail which can inflict a severe wound.

Cooking:

Edible but not commonly eaten.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au