RAJA aims to gain more insights into the temporal and spatial distribution of the thornback ray in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS) by using both acoustic telemetry and data loggers. This will increase our knowledge of the spawning --, nursery and foraging areas of this species and help to better understand species dynamics. This objective specifically contributes to measures 5a and 5d of the Belgian programme of measures under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).