Endangered flapper skate makes comeback in Scotland after fishers report significant increase in sightings
Researchers have been working with the fishing industry to understand the state of the flapper.
The critically endangered flapper skate appears to be making a recovery in Scotland after reports of a significant increase in sightings, according to a new study.
The population of the marine species — Europe's largest skate and a member of the shark family — has drastically declined in the UK over the last century.
Causes cited include historic overfishing and the animal’s slow growth and late maturity. Flapper skate is a long-lived species which matures at around 15 years old, producing eggs that incubate for over a year, making the species and their egg cases particularly vulnerable to fishing mortality.
But fishers in Scotland said they reported a significant increase in flapper skate bycatch over the past four years, with over half of those interviewed seeing them on a daily basis.
The higher number of sightings in the study were reported along the west coast of Scotland, particularly around the Isles of Rùm and Skye and in the western waters of Shetland.
Jane Dodd, NatureScot’s elasmobranch specialist, said: “This is exciting and promising news, with the current evidence showing a trend for flapper skate recovery. It’s also been really rewarding to hear the experiences of the fishers, who have a unique position in their daily lives of seeing how flapper skate are faring where they fish.
“Their views have been invaluable, adding to the growing body of information on flapper skate.
“The research is a bright point, but flapper skate are just beginning their recovery – they may now be common again in some areas but they are far from restored to their historical range.
“We are committed to continuing to work with fishers to develop best practice to reduce flapper skate bycatch and maximise survival following release. Collaboration is essential to deliver the release of particularly large flapper skate while maintaining the safety of fishers, especially as continued skate recovery could lead to even more encounters over a wider area.”
The latest research, carried out by Heriot Watt University, involved interviews with commercial fishers about their interactions with skates and their perceptions of changes in numbers in recent years.
A previous study conducted by Marine Directorate Science, Evidence, Data and Digital and published in April last year, found that the number of flapper skates in the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area (MPA) are increasing faster than outside the MPA, as a result of higher survival rates for young flapper skates.
NatureScot said both studies show that the measures to protect and restore flapper skate inside and outside MPAs are working.
The nature agency said these changes started in 2009 when it became illegal to land flapper and common blue skates commercially anywhere in Scotland, with fishers required to return these species to the water unharmed as soon as possible. More recently, designation and management of the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura and Red Rocks and Longay Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has increased protection of flapper skate and their eggs.
Professor Michel Kaiser of the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, said he was pleased with the collaboration with the fishing industry in the study, adding: “Looking ahead, we hope to convene an industry focused workshop to get the benefit of fishermen’s practical insights and ideas about how we can better handle such large fish that are often twice the weight of an average person.”
Members of the public can also help conserve flapper skate. Anyone who sees a flapper skate in Scotland can take a photo and upload it on Skatespotter app, which helps track how well flapper skates are doing.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.