Local communities, ocean lovers, and anyone with an interest in life below water are being invited to take a captivating glimpse into the world of skate and rays, thanks to a new initiative – part of major new investment in local marine life – to reconnect people with the rich biodiversity found at Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

The UK’s first (and currently its only) national marine park is on a mission to reconnect the public with the richness of life in the ocean, particularly the biodiversity that lives and thrives in the waters around Plymouth Sound. 

Its Little Rays of Hope initiative is the first in a series – part of a five-year Nature Programme – which aims to foster behaviour change by cultivating a deeper understanding and appreciation of marine life, with a focus on local skate and ray populations.

Working with the Marine Biological Association (MBA), the Little Rays of Hope project builds upon decades of aquatic expertise while setting out to raise public awareness of local skate and ray populations by digitally documenting the lives of the local populations and providing local communities with the chance to learn how they can make a positive difference.

To kickstart the project, four female spotted rays were carefully collected from the Mewstone area to lay their eggs in a safe, controlled environment. This approach allows better understanding of egg-laying rates and survival within an aquarium system and ability to predict hatch dates and document embryo development.

The Spotted Rays successfully laid 80 eggs, which are now being incubated under ideal conditions. Over the next five to six months, these eggs will develop into pups, which will eventually be released back into their natural habitat in Plymouth Sound.

“The Little Rays of Hope project is about much more than science. It’s about inspiring people to see the value of the extraordinary marine life we have here in Plymouth Sound,” said Elaine Hayes, CEO of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. “By combining education, engagement, and hands-on conservation efforts, we hope to create a community that’s deeply connected to and protective of our ocean.”

The Nature Programme is part of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park’s wider Horizons project which earlier this year received £1 million in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore habitats, protect species, and foster public engagement. And it’s engagement from the members of the public that will prove crucial to the success of its large ambitions.

Through the Programme, community members are encouraged to participate in activities like the Shark Trust’s Great Egg Case Hunt, where they can help identify and report skate and ray egg cases found along Plymouth’s beaches. Efforts like these will contribute valuable data to ongoing research and help foster a sense of shared responsibility for marine conservation.

“Projects like Little Rays of Hope exemplify the power of collaboration between scientists, local communities, and organisations like the Marine Biological Association to create lasting change,” said Hayes.

There are over 600 species of skates and rays worldwide and only 18 are found in UK waters. 

“Projects like this are not only important for the species we’re working with but also for inspiring people to care about their local marine environment,” said Professor Willie Wilson, chief executive of the Marine Biological Association. “By sharing the story of these rays, we’re helping to build a community that values and protects Plymouth Sound.”

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