One of the most brilliant patterned rays in our oceans is the Blue-spotted Stingray. Their distinct, bright spots and golden eyes make for great images. You’ll find them foraging in patches of seagrass, sheltering under coral outcrops and resting in caverns. In recent years they’ve been listed by the IUCN as a 'Near Threatened' species. In the main because their coral reef habitat has undergone widespread destruction from aggressive fishing methods.

Despite their listed status, these rays have an incredibly widespread range, stretching across the Indian Ocean and West Pacific. As a result, there’s something of a misconception over their status because they are thought of generally as a common species. There are no known conservation studies or management initiatives and therefore, there’s minimal data about these lovely rays and their chances to survive long-term.

Location: Red Sea, Egypt

Photographer: Laura Storm