Spotted eagle rays are classified as 'Near Threatened' by IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) (www.iucnredlist.org). It should be noted that this is based on the global population.
Spotted eagle rays are most threatened from overfishing in areas of the world where inshore fisheries are most intensive such as South East Asia and are also a common catch of artisanal fisheries on the East Coast of Africa. They are believed to be vulnerable to high levels of fishing due to their low reproductive output. Other threats include being caught as by-catch by large trawler nets and frequently falling victim to shark nets that are used to protect swim beaches along the coast of South Africa.
However, in other regions, such as the Caribbean, they are less commonly targeted as their meat is poor quality and more often used for fish meal rather than human consumption. In some areas it is thought that local populations are in fact increasing due to the intensive removal of their large shark predators from the ecosystem due to overfishing. More information is needed on local population levels, natural mortality rates and fisheries catches in order for localized assessments to be made.
Although this species does have 2 - 5 venomous spines on the base of the tail, these are used in self defense and spotted eagle rays are not considered dangerous to humans. They are a popular aquarium exhibit around the world and visitors are often offered the experience to enter the water with them.
