Noronha is an important reproductive area for two shark species and two ray species.

Neonate Atlantic Nurse Sharks have been regularly reported by recreational divers close to shore (up to 15 m depth). Animals were considered neonates based on the visual presence of small, dark, light-ringed ocellated spots. Neonates and young-of-the-year (YOY) have small black spots covering the entire body with alternating bands of lighter and darker pigmentation that occur before reaching 55 cm TL (Castro 2000). The reported size-at-birth of this species is 27–30 cm total length (TL) (Ebert et al. 2021). Neonates were reported in 1997 (n = 2), 2003 (n = 2), 2005 (n = 1), 2007 (n = 3), 2021 (n = 4), and 2024 (n = 1) (Garla et al. 2009, 2017b; VB Bettcher pers. obs. 2021–2024). They were observed hidden inside caves, crevices, seaweed banks, or colonies of octocorals. The use of these habitats makes opportunistic records difficult to obtain (Garla et al. 2017b). Additionally, between April–August 2015, 12 Atlantic Nurse Shark mating events were recorded in Sueste Bay within this area (Afonso et al. 2016). In July 2024, another mating event was opportunistically recorded within the area by recreational divers (VB Bettcher pers. obs. 2024). Finally, pregnant females aggregate in groups of 15–20 individuals (maximum ~45) regularly and predictably during the austral winter in this area (Garla et al. 2009; Afonso et al. 2016; VB Bettcher pers. obs. 2018–2024).

Aggregations of 3–12 neonate/YOY Lemon Sharks measuring 60–80 cm TL were observed every year between 2001–2007 at depths of up to 5 m along the intertidal zones (in areas of turbid waters over reef or rocky bottoms covered by brown algae) (Garla et al. 2009). In February 2023, three animals observed had open umbilical scars, measuring 62–68 cm TL (Garla et al. 2022). Between 2004–2019, females with mating scars as well as neonates/YOY were reported by citizen scientists (Garla et al. 2022). From 181 dives in the area, female Lemon Sharks with fresh mating scars were recorded during 22 dives (18%), pregnant females were recorded during 24 dives (19%), and one adult male with a fresh mating scar was observed (Garla et al. 2022). Neonate and YOY animals are observed underwater by recreational divers, site rangers, and from land-based viewpoints. The occurrence of neonate Lemon Sharks in this area is seasonal and occurs mostly between November–April within Sueste Bay, Leão Beach, and Santo Antônio Harbour, while YOY animals can be observed during the rest of the year (VB Bettcher pers. obs. 2021–2024). There are additional records of juvenile Lemon Sharks from the area. These young individuals have often been observed in aggregations and displaying feeding behaviour in shallow waters of at least one beach in the area (Garla et al. 2017a; B Rangel unpubl. data 2023). Lemon Shark aggregations of up to 15 individuals are observed feeding on sardine schools on the shore throughout the year, but mainly during the summer when their abundance is higher. Feeding aggregations of up to 12 juvenile Lemon Sharks have also been observed in the area at depths of 0.2–5 m along intertidal zones in turbid waters over reefs or rocky substrates covered by brown algae. The presence of neonates, YOY, and juvenile animals suggests that this area might be a nursery area for this species.

Reproductive activity of Lutz’s Stingray was opportunistically observed and recorded through scientific expeditions and citizen science contributions (Bettcher et al. 2022). Furthermore, mating behaviour was observed in 1997, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023 (Bettcher et al. 2022). All sightings of mating were made on the leeward side of Rata Island, within the area. Induced parturition was also recorded in a pregnant female incidentally caught in the area in May 2022 at a depth of 40 m (Bettcher et al. 2022). The cloaca was darker and dilated, and parturition began before the ray was released. The litter consisted of two well-developed pups, with an estimated 25 cm DW (Bettcher et al. 2022). Females with mating scars and distended abdomen indicating pregnancy are also regularly (every year) recorded by recreational divers (VB Bettcher pers. obs. 2021–2024).

Between 2014–2019, 79 Oceanic Manta Rays were reported in the area by citizen scientists undertaking recreational dives (Bucair et al. 2021; N Bucair unpubl. data 2025). Of these, 53 were measured by a trained observer. The majority of the measured animals (83%, n = 44) were considered neonate/YOY, and estimated to measure between 150–200 cm disc width (DW). The size-at-birth for this species is unknown, however, there are observations of individuals measuring ~140 cm DW (Bucair et al. 2021) and <100 cm DW (Gomes de Souza 2022) outside of this area. The size-at-birth is 130–150 cm DW for the smaller congeneric Reef Manta Ray Mobula alfredi (Last et al. 2016). No mature individuals were reported and the other nine animals observed were considered juveniles or sub-adults measuring 220–300 cm DW (Bucair et al. 2021; N Bucair unpubl. data 2025). Oceanic Manta Ray males mature at ~375–400 and females at 410–470 cm DW (Last et al. 2016). Most reports were made between April–October, however, further information is required to determine the seasonality of the reproductive importance of this area. Individuals were sighted repeatedly across numerous seasons and years (Bucair et al. 2021). These records likely represent animals of a putative species (Mobula cf. birostris).