Over exploitation by coastal fisheries is a major threat to many marine species. The giant guitarfishes (Glaucostegus sp.), found in tropical nearshore waters, are highly vulnerable to this threat. In this study, we focus on the widenose guitarfish (Glaucostegus obtusus), a Critically Endangered species, protected under CITES (Schedule II) and listed under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act (WPA). This species is severely understudied and there is an urgent need to fill this knowledge gap to find effective solutions to address the threats that they face.