Community Corner

Park District Says Fishing for Rays is Legal But Notifies Department of Fish and Wildlife

Despite upset residents spotting ray carcases along Crown Beach in the past few weeks, an East Bay Regional Park District spokeswoman said there is nothing illegal about fishing for rays other than littering their bodies on shore.

For the past several weeks readers have reported seeing an increasing number of ray carcases along Alameda's Crown Memorial Beach.

Reader Lorraine Sarullo has posted photos and claimed that most of bodies of these rays have been "mutilated" some with wings cut off, others left whole.

Emily Hopkins, spokesperson for East Bay Regional Park District said every morning, staff go to the beach to clean up any carcases found.

She said likely the rays are being caught be fisherman, which she said is legal in California.

"[Fishermen] are not doing anything illegal other than littering," Hopkins said. "From time to time, this happens due to tides—they wash up on our beach."

She said EBRPD has notified California Department of Fish and Wildlife about the matter.

Alameda Patch put a call into the Department of Fish and Wildlife but have yet to hear back from a spokesperson.

"It certainly can be upsetting for people to see that but we're doing our best to keep [the beaches] clean," Hopkins said.

To report ray carcases found on the beach, call EBRPD at (888) 327-2757 so staff can further investigal


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