SubMarineBiologist
Registered
The flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius)is the largest skate in the world. A relative of sharks, rays, and chimaeras, it has a cartilaginous skeleton and is long-lived. It can grow to three metres length and lays large eggs. Currently, not much is known about them other than they used to be masked as "common skate" with another species called blue skate (Dipturus batis) and landed in huge numbers at fish markets around Scottish coasts. Unfortunately, as is the case with much of our sealife, their stocks have been depleted so much that they are listed as critically endangered.
I'm part of a group looking for contributions from anybody who may have seen, caught, photographed etc. one of these fish and/or their egg cases. If you could let me know by replying here with some information WITH LOCATION, DATE AND TIME that would be fantastic!
If you see a fish, size estimate and photograph from above if possible. If you catch a fish, measure, weigh, and photograph the animal before releasing it.
If you see one while diving, you're a lucky one! Take a video or photo if you can or make notes on your time, depth, and location.
Egg photos
From what little we know, they tend to lay in areas of bouldery ground between 10 and 30 metres. These areas are referred to as "flapperies".
Flapper skate photos
Take care not to spook/interfere with/harass marine life please.
Further information:
Info from the Shark Trust and info about their eggs (contains info about other species eggs too!)
Thanks all,
On behalf of Shark and Skate Citizen Science Scotland and other affiliated groups.
I'm part of a group looking for contributions from anybody who may have seen, caught, photographed etc. one of these fish and/or their egg cases. If you could let me know by replying here with some information WITH LOCATION, DATE AND TIME that would be fantastic!
If you see a fish, size estimate and photograph from above if possible. If you catch a fish, measure, weigh, and photograph the animal before releasing it.
If you see one while diving, you're a lucky one! Take a video or photo if you can or make notes on your time, depth, and location.
Egg photos
From what little we know, they tend to lay in areas of bouldery ground between 10 and 30 metres. These areas are referred to as "flapperies".
Flapper skate photos
Take care not to spook/interfere with/harass marine life please.
Further information:
Info from the Shark Trust and info about their eggs (contains info about other species eggs too!)
Thanks all,
On behalf of Shark and Skate Citizen Science Scotland and other affiliated groups.
