Common skate (Dipturus batis)

Species information

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Threats

Common skates are long-lived and slow to mature, factors that make them particularly vulnerable to both direct and accidental targeting by the fishing industry (2). During the mid 20th Century, skates and rays made up a considerable amount of commercial fishing in the United Kingdom (6). The population of common skates has seen a drastic decline in European waters following this intensive fishing pressure, making a mockery of its name. Although no longer targeted in the majority of areas, as the population is too low, these fish are still threatened by fisheries bycatch (2).

Conservation

A UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) Species, the common skate is the subject of an Action Plan that aims to stabilise key populations by the year 2004 and allow skates to migrate to areas where they are scarce, by minimising the fishing pressure on the species (2). Further research on the distribution of the species and the monitoring of life-cycles, growth and so on will also need to be undertaken in order to successfully manage the recovery of this fish (2).