Common Atlantic Skate
Known also as the grey or blue skate, this has long been an important catch for commerical fishermen off European shores as far north as Iceland and the Arctic coast of Norway. Most of those traditionally caught were relatively small and young fish living on the floor of the continental shelf at depths of up to 200m (650f1), but catches there have dropped sharply and the common skate is now seriously endangered in these areas. Fishermen have switched to deeper waters — where some much larger specimens live — in an effort to maintain catches, but experts believe that the species will be in serious danger unless catches are curtailed.
Scientific name : Dipturus (or Raja) batis
Classification : Order Rajiformes (skates and true rays)
Family : Rajidae
Size : Female up to 2.4m (8ft) long; male up to 2m (6′/2ft); up to 98kg (2161b)
Distribution : Eastern and northern North Atlantic; western Mediterranean
Habitat : Temperate and cold waters, from shallows to depth of 600m (2000ft)
Diet : Mainly bottom-living fish and crustaceans; also other fish and octopuses
Reproduction : About 40 eggs per year, laid in capsules up to 24.5cm (9 1/2in) long