VIMS July Discovery Lab Series: Rays

Come on out to learn more the about the cousins of sharks and skates…Rays! These sea animals are common inhabitations of the Chesapeake Bay and an important part of the Bay ecosystem.

Join Bob Fisher, a fisheries and seafood technology specialist at VIMS, as he describes the importance of rays and explores whether a ray fishery might help reduce their reported consumption of farmed shellfish. The lab will offer a look at the distribution of rays around the world, information about the danger of ray “stingers” and activities to distinguish rays from skates.

This will focus on the Cownose ray. Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR) provides monthly discovery labs for kids and adults at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). These labs provide fun, family-friendly opportunities to learn about the Bay and our local environment.

Monthly labs include a short presentation by an expert on the topic and are followed by exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Registration is required.