STINGRAY VS SPIDER CRABS

To use this video in a commercial player or in broadcasts, please email licensing@storyful.com MASSIVE STINGRAY MUNCHES ON THOUSANDS OF SPIDER CRABS This huge smooth ray was spectacular as it swam through thousands of spider crabs, trying to search out one that had recently moulted. The moulted crabs are much larger and softer, making them easier for the stingray to eat. This is part of the annual spider crab aggregations in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Australia. The aggregations that occur in shallow water around man-made structures such as piers are a huge tourist attraction for this region, attracting many scuba divers, free divers, snorkelers and camera crews from around the world. While the crabs have very little meat and are not a good table species, in recent years the groups of crabs that have come in to moult have been threatened by excessive targeting by pier fishermen before they have had any chance to moult, completely disregarding and disrupting this natural lifecycle process. Advocates of the spider crabs are campaigning for a 'no catch season' similar to those currently in place for crays and abalones that will allow the crabs to complete their natural moulting cycle unhindered. Stingrays however are a natural predator and help to keep the crab numbers in balance without any help from humans, so enjoy this footage of this glorious beast being very fussy about which crab she wants for lunch! Contrary to popular mythology, stingrays are docile creatures and do not attack humans and most unfortunate encounters are accidental. However they will defend themselves if they feel threatened. This footage was shot on 4 June 2020. PLEASE FOLLOW PINK TANK SCUBA YouTube, FB, Insta and www.pinktankscuba.com

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