Our Daily Planet: Ray Hunting and Texas Motorcycle Rides

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Ray Hunting: Shark fin soup may be out, but rays are in. An alarming rise in manta and mobula ray hunting for use in soups could threaten the species. [Related: Prized Shark Fins May Be Banned in California .]

Bottom Trawling: A group of nations has agreed to a treaty that targets destructive bottom trawling in international waters of the North Pacific Ocean.

Touring Texas: Spring is near, and one great way to see the outdoors up-close is on a motorcycle. Check out five great scenic rides through Texas. [Related: Gallery: 7 Scenic Summer Drives .]

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Chilean Earthquake and Louisiana's Deadly Tornado

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at bisrael@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.

Brett Israel was a staff writer for Live Science with a focus on environmental issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has studied doctorate-level biochemistry at Emory University.