Fascinating world of Plymouth Sound's 'little rays of hope' uncovered in new project

A new project has been launched to reveal the hidden world of the fascinating marine species found within Plymouth Sound. Plymouth Sound National Marine Park's "Little Rays of Hope" will explore the life cycle of skate and rays.

It is one of the first schemes in the Marine Park's Nature Boost Programme, part of the £11.6m National Lottery Heritage Fund and Plymouth City Council-funded Horizons project. It's hoped it will help people appreciate what's in our waters and spark a lasting passion for protecting ocean life.

To kickstart Little Rays of Hope, four female Spotted Rays were collected from the Mewstone area to lay their eggs in a safe, controlled environment. They successfully laid 80 eggs, which are now being incubated.

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. Their incubation and development will be documented digitally so members of the public can witness their journey from egg to pup.

Organisers also want people to take part in activities like the Sharks Trust Great Egg Case Hunt, where they can help identify and report skate and ray egg cases found along Plymouth’s beaches - contributing valuable data to help ongoing research.

Chair of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Board and Plymouth City Council Leader, Tudor Evans, said: ‘The Little Rays of Hope initiative is a fantastic way to showcase the unique marine life we have right on our doorstep. It’s about engaging people, building knowledge, and inspiring real action to protect Plymouth Sound’s natural treasures for generations to come."

Elaine Hayes, CEO of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, said: "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.

"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.

"With an investment of £1 million over five years, the Nature Programme is an ambitious and inspiring model 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."

There are over 600 species of skates and rays worldwide, with 18 species found in UK waters. Skates and rays are cartilaginous fish, meaning they have no bones and have skeletons made of lightweight cartilage.

Rays also have the ability to detect electrical fields to locate prey and navigate their environment.

The Marine Biological Association is part of the project and is supporting the hatching and rearing of the rays. Its chief executive, Professor Willie Wilson, said: "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.

"By sharing the story of these rays, we’re helping to build a community that values and protects Plymouth Sound."

To find out how to get involved in the Little Rays of Hope project visit https://plymouthsoundnationalmarinepark.com/little-rays-of-hope/

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