Todos os Santos is an important reproductive area for three shark and five ray species.

Between 2015–2024, pregnant animals, neonates, and young-of-the-year (YOY) were recorded across 625 landings surveys of artisanal fisheries operating in this area that use gillnets, artisanal bottom trawls, and hook and line gear. Fishery landings were monitored monthly in ten fishing communities located throughout the bay (JA Reis-Filho unpubl. data 2024).

Brazilian Sharpnose Shark were captured year-round in gillnet fisheries (n = 216). Neonates (n = 17; ranging 27.1–31.9 cm total length [TL]) and YOY (n = 21; ranging 37–42.4 cm TL) were observed (17.6%), with YOY peaking in December and January. The average number of individuals per landing was four (max = 9). Pregnant females (n = 4) were observed between May–August (JA Reis-Filho unpubl. data 2024). Size-at-birth for Brazilian Sharpnose Shark is 33–34 cm TL (Ebert et al. 2021).

A total of 477 Caribbean Sharpnose Shark were captured in artisanal fisheries using gillnets. The average number of individuals per landing was nine (max = 16). Neonates (n = 39; 8.2%, ranging 30–35 cm TL) and YOY (n = 96; 20.1%, ranging 40.2–50.5 cm TL) were recorded in 37% of the 625 landings, peaking in December and January. Pregnant females were also recorded (n = 15), mostly between May–August (JA Reis-Filho unpubl. data 2024). Size-at-birth for Caribbean Sharpnose Shark is 31–39 cm TL (Ebert et al. 2021).

Between August–December 2012 and in March 2013, eight Shovelbill Sharks were caught by gillnets and artisanal longlines within this area. Five of the eight individuals were measured and analysed, and all had open or healed umbilical scars indicating they were neonates or YOY (35.5–56.5 cm TL; Reis-Filho et al. 2014). Between 2015–2024, neonate (n = 14; ranging 28.2–32.9 cm TL) and YOY (n = 76; ranging 35–39.6 cm TL) Shovelbill Sharks were observed in 21.3% of landings within this area and accounted for 30.1% of the 299 individuals recorded. Neonates and YOY exhibited seasonal peaks, with 23% of neonates and 38% of YOY recorded between December–February (JA Reis-Filho unpubl. data 2024). One pregnant female was observed in November. In Brazil, the size-at-birth for Shovelbill Shark is 31–35.6 cm TL (Silva & Lessa 1991).

Of 306 Lutz’s Stingray recorded in this area (size range: 35–125 cm disc width [DW]), 38 (12.4%) were pregnant, with the highest pregnancy frequencies between November–February, and 53 were neonates and YOY (n = 53; 17%) peaking in April and May. Full-term embryos of Lutz’s Stingrays were ~25 cm DW when born by induced abortion (Bettcher et al. 2022).

A total of 1,157 Longnose Stingray (size range: 18–159 cm DW) were captured from 625 monitored landing events. Among these, 306 individuals (26.5%) were pregnant (size range: 69–105 cm DW), with respective reports peaking between November–February (accounting for 67% of all recorded pregnant individuals). Neonates and YOY (n = 36; 3.1%, 16.2–19.1 cm DW) were also recorded, mainly in April and May. Size-at-birth for Longnose Stingrays is 14–17 cm DW (Gianeti et al. 2019).

Of 168 Large-eye Stingrays (size range: 14.3–55 cm TL), 24 (14.3%) were pregnant, most frequently recorded in December. Neonates (n = 2; ranging 14.3–14.7 cm DW) and YOY (n = 8; ranging 17.3–21.8 cm DW) were identified, with YOY appearing primarily in April. Size-at-birth for Large-eye Stingrays is 13–14 cm DW (Yokota & Lessa 2007).

Of the 188 Chola Guitarfish recorded (size range: 28–132 cm TL), 55 (29.3%) were pregnant and recorded primarily in December and January. Neonates (n = 2; 28–28.9 cm TL) and YOY (n = 22; 33.4–39.5 cm TL) were also observed. YOY Chola Guitarfish measure ~39.2 cm TL (Caltabellotta et al. 2019).

Of 215 American Cownose Ray (size range: 51–79 cm DW), 69 (32%) were pregnant, with peak pregnancies occurring from August to September. Two YOY (51–54.3 cm DW) were also recorded. Size-at-birth for American Cownose Rays is 20–43 cm DW (Last et al. 2016).