First documented catch of the giant devil ray Mobula mobular (Chondrichthyes: Mobulidae) in the Adriatic Sea

On 30 April 2008, a male specimen of the giant devil ray Mobula mobular was by-caught alive by a pelagic pair trawler in the central Adriatic Sea. The specimen was examined, measured (disc length and disc width, clasper and cephalic fin length), weighed (total weight) and photorecorded as soon as possible in order to release it alive at sea. This occurrence represents the first documented record of M. mobular in the Adriatic Sea. The Mediterranean geographical distribution of such a rare mobulid species was discussed and updated.