The Ray Project - Shark, Skate and Ray Egg case Records

Quality Control

The same methodology and search effort was followed during each survey. All casings stored for 24-hour water soakage were labelled so as to avoid confusion and ensure accuracy. The process of identification was completed with the use of a widely accepted and utilised identification key sourced from Shark Trust. The same process was used for each egg casing and a photograph was taken for certainty of correct species identification. All calculations were checked by two members for accurate records of species numbers.

Method steps

1. All survey sites were located on beaches along the coast of Wexford. The methodology conducted involved following two transect lines along the site. The first line is located 1m away from the present embryonic dunes and the second is located along the upper strand line. Egg casings are collected approximately 3 metres either side of the transect lines. This ensures egg casings present throughout the beach are collected in a similar manner each collection. The egg casings then need to be soaked in water for 24hrs before attempting to identify them. Separating the prominent species, then each egg casing is placed into a right-angle ruler on a white background. A photo is taken whilst species identification takes place by studying the size, presence of keel and presence of attachments of each casing. Once all egg casings have been identified and divided, the average size is recorded, and all information is uploaded to the egg hunt form.

The geographic extent and coverage include the described transects on the following beaches on the coast of Wexford, Cahore South Beach, Morris Castle Beach, Curracloe beach, Old Bawn Beach, Ballinoulart Bay Beach, Askingarran Lower Bay Beach, Ballinoulart Bay Beach and Fodagh Bay Beach.