Tail cutting, I think is still a nasty wide used practice, guess it is better than the other option (death). Some fisherman think them selves hero's as they haul them up on the pier but with no use for them and a genuine want to put them back, but when the tail strikes at them they are not so big a "legend" hence the tail being removed or as others do, remove the barb by cutting it off. Guess it is better than suffocation from being left alive on the pier or being stabbed and thrown back but still unacceptable. All these practices are illegal and if you are worried about conflict from someone doing wrong, then walk down the pier out of earshot and ring Parks, a ranger will come down and charge the offender (if proved) under the cruelty to animals legislation. The other thing you can do is ask the fisherman if they are going to use it, if they say no, then ask if they object to you returning it. If they say no then use a towel or rag, with shoes on, place a foot on the tip of the tail to immobilize it, place the towel over the tail near the tip and take a hold being careful not to grab the barb and keep your hand clear of the barb. You can then drag it to the edge where it can be released. Sting rays do not shoot the barb out, they strike with the tail and barb similar to a scorpion, once the tail is immobilized and as long as you stay clear of the barb, you are safe to handle them.
At the end of the day, the safest and easiest way to deal with stingrays is to
cut your line as close and as safely possible, for some,
this is not an option, for the smart ones
it's no big
deal.
