This area holds the regular presence of the Angular Angelshark, Spotback Skate, Groovebelly Stingray, Lutz’s Stingray, Brazilian Guitarfish, Rio Skate, Bignose Fanskate, and Shortnose Guitarfish as resident range-restricted species. These species have been recorded regularly from artisanal fisheries operating in the area in five sampling periods between 2003–2005 and 2012–2023 (Silva Junior et al. 2008; Silva-Junior et al. 2011; Almeida Marques 2014; Amorim & Monteiro-Neto 2016; Almeida Marques et al. 2020; Araujo et al. 2020; SR Santos unpubl. data 2024). Artisanal fisheries operate with set gillnets, bottom gillnets, trawl nets, artisanal longlines, and handlines deployed at depths <50 m, mostly targeting Whitemouth Croaker Micropogonias furnieri and flounders Paralichthys spp. From October 2003–September 2004 (twice a week), and October 2004–September 2005 (weekly), 129 fishing trips from artisanal fisheries (ten boats) were monitored in the area (Silva Junior et al. 2008; Silva-Junior et al. 2011). From June 2012–May 2013, artisanal fisheries (ten boats) operating in 15 locations inside the area were monitored, six days a week on average (Amorim & Monteiro-Neto 2016). From November 2012–May 2014, 41 surveys were conducted at 10 landing sites in the broader Rio de Janeiro state (~650 km of coastline; Almeida Marques 2014; Almeida Marques et al. 2020). Between 2016–2019, fishing activities were monitored through irregular sampling across 41 monitoring trips at two landing sites in the area (Copacabana and Itaipu) and Cabo Frio (~120 km from the area; Araujo et al. 2020). Copacabana was monitored twice a week between September 2018–September 2019 and Itaipu was visited 10 times between January–July 2016. Monitoring was conducted by scientists and was complemented with pictures sent by fishers when sharks were landed. Both areas concentrate ~1,600 fishers. Cabo Frio was visited every three months between 2017–2018 (Araujo et al. 2020). Finally, artisanal fisheries (~1,000 fishers) operating in the area were monitored five times per week between June 2021–July 2023 (SR Santos unpubl. data 2024).

Angular Angelsharks were recorded in three sampling periods. Between 2012–2013, individuals were captured at two locations along the Rio de Janeiro coast and around Rasa and Carragas Islands within this area (Amorim & Monteiro-Neto 2016). Between 2016–2019, three individuals were recorded in two locations (one in Cabo Frio) with two observed in this area (Araujo et al. 2020). From 2021–2023, 51 Angular Angelsharks were recorded in the area from August–December (SR Santos unpubl. data 2024). Monitoring of shrimp trawl fisheries operating in the Sao Paulo area (~300 km southwest of Rio de Janeiro Shelf) recorded 29 individuals between 2015–2016, highlighting the importance of this area for the species (Domingos et al. 2021). This species occurs in the South Brazil Shelf and the Patagonian Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (LME).

Between 2012–2013, Spotback Skates were recorded in the area at three locations along the Rio de Janeiro coast and around Rasa Island (Amorim & Monteiro-Neto 2016). Of surveys undertaken across the Rio de Janeiro state from 2012–2014, individuals of this species (n = 14) were only recorded in this area with fishers reporting that are caught year-round (Almeida Marques 2014; Almeida Marques et al. 2020). Between 2016–2019, 16 individuals were recorded in two locations from the Rio de Janeiro state (one ~120 km from the area) with 14 observed in this area. Individuals were observed between September–January mostly around Rasa and Redonda Islands (Araujo et al. 2020). From 2021–2023, 24 Spotback Skates were recorded in the area from August–December (SR Santos unpubl. data 2024). Historically, six individuals were recorded between 2003–2005 from artisanal fisheries operating in the area (Silva Junior et al. 2008). Monitoring of shrimp trawl fisheries operating in the Sao Paulo area (~300 southwest of Rio de Janeiro Shelf) recorded only seven individuals between 2015–2016, highlighting the importance of this area for the species (Domingos et al. 2021). This species occurs in the South Brazil Shelf and the Patagonian Shelf LMEs.

Of 72 Groovebelly Stingrays recorded from 2012–2014 across the Rio de Janeiro state, 53 were recorded in this area, with fishers reporting that they are caught year-round (Almeida Marques 2014; Almeida Marques et al. 2020). The remaining individuals were recorded ~100 km northeast from the area (Almeida Marques 2014; Almeida Marques et al. 2020). From 2021–2023, 61 Groovebelly Stingrays were recorded in the area year-round (SR Santos unpubl. data 2024). Historically, 51 individuals were recorded between 2003–2005 from artisanal fisheries operating in the area (Silva Junior et al. 2008; Silva-Junior et al. 2011). Monitoring of shrimp trawl fisheries operating in the Sao Paulo area (~300 southwest of Rio de Janeiro Shelf) recorded only five individuals between 2015–2016, highlighting the importance of this area for the species (Domingos et al. 2021). This species occurs primarily in the South Brazil Shelf and marginally in the East Brazil Shelf and Patagonian Shelf LMEs.

Of surveys undertaken across the Rio de Janeiro state from 2012–2014, Lutz’s Stingrays (n = 3) were only recorded in this area (Almeida Marques 2014; Almeida Marques et al. 2020). Between 2016–2019, eight individuals were recorded in the broader Rio de Janeiro area with all individuals recorded in this area. (Araujo et al. 2020). This species was previously recorded as Southern Stingray Hypanus americanus as it was formally described as a different species in 2020 (Petean et al. 2020). Additionally, two individuals were recorded between 2021–2023 (SR Santos unpubl. data 2024). Lutz’s Stingray was also observed in underwater visual censuses conducted between 2011–2022 around the islands (Machado et al. 2022). This species occurs primarily in the East Brazil Shelf and marginally in the South Brazil Shelf and North Brazil Shelf LMEs.

Between 2016–2019, 15 Brazilian Guitarfish were recorded in the broader Rio de Janeiro area with five observed in this area. Individuals were observed between May–June and December–February mostly around Rasa Island (Araujo et al. 2020). From 2021–2023, 131 Brazilian Guitarfish were recorded in the area year-round (SR Santos unpubl. data 2024). Historically, 109 individuals were recorded between 2003–2005 from artisanal fisheries operating in the area (Silva Junior et al. 2008; Silva-Junior et al. 2011). This species occurs in the South Brazil Shelf and the Patagonian Shelf LMEs.

Of surveys undertaken across the Rio de Janeiro state from 2012–2014, Rio Skates (n = 35) were only recorded in this area with fishers reporting that are caught year-round (Almeida Marques 2014; Almeida Marques et al. 2020). Between 2016–2019, four individuals were recorded in the broader Rio de Janeiro area with one observed in this area around Cagarra Island (Araujo et al. 2020). Historically, four individuals were recorded between 2003–2005 from artisanal fisheries operating in the area (Silva Junior et al. 2008, 2011). This species occurs in the South Brazil Shelf and the Patagonian Shelf LMEs.

Of surveys undertaken across the Rio de Janeiro state from 2012–2014, Bignose Fanskates (n = 24) were only recorded in this area with fishers reporting seasonal catches (Almeida Marques 2014; Almeida Marques et al. 2020). From 2021–2023, 67 Bignose Fanskates were recorded in the area (SR Santos unpubl. data 2024). Historically, three individuals were recorded between 2003–2005 from artisanal fisheries operating in the area (Silva Junior et al. 2008). Monitoring of shrimp trawl fisheries operating in the Sao Paulo area (~300 southwest of Rio de Janeiro Shelf) recorded only seven individuals between 2015–2016, highlighting the importance of this area for the species (Domingos et al. 2021). This species occurs in the South Brazil Shelf and the Patagonian Shelf LMEs.

Of five Shortnose Guitarfish recorded in the broader Rio de Janeiro area between 2016–2019, four were observed in this area. Individuals were observed in September and January around Cagarra Island and in coastal areas (Araujo et al. 2020). From 2021–2023, 19 individuals were recorded in the area from August–December (SR Santos unpubl. data 2024). Historically, three individuals were recorded between 2003–2005 from artisanal fisheries operating in the area (Silva Junior et al. 2008; Silva-Junior et al. 2011). This species occurs in the South Brazil Shelf and the Patagonian Shelf LMEs.