 The International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) has listed the reticulate whipray as Vulnerable . Its large size , inshore habitat preferences , and slow reproductive rate render it susceptible to overfishing . Although specific data is lacking , significant declines in overall ray catches have been documented within its range , including in the Gulf of Thailand , the Arafura Sea , and off Pakistan . Habitat degradation also threatens this species : over 30 % of the mangroves in Indonesia and Malaysia have been cleared since 1980 , while pollution and destructive fishing practices may have also taken their toll . Australian waters offer the reticulate whipray a refuge from fishing pressure , as there it is not targeted commercially and the installation of Turtle Exclusion Devices ( TEDs ) have reduced bycatch mortality . However , there are indications of increasing illegal fishing in Australian territory by Indonesian vessels . 
