Seafish has published identification guides for fishermen to help them recognise the various species of skates and rays. Accompanying these is a website that features a database to collect landing data on these unique fish, so that their quantity and geographic availability can be monitored and studied.
The guide is available as an A2 poster or a handy A4 size and is being sent out to a wide range of industry organisations such as fishmarkets, harbour offices, fishermen's organisations and federations, fish processors, fish selling agents and fishery offices. Laminated versions are also being made available for fishermen and can be obtained directly from Seafish.
The guide aims to help fishermen, fish sellers and processors to correctly label the species that are commonly caught around the British Isles. There are specific differences between the various species, yet often they are all generically labelled either skate or ray or there is confusion regarding regional variations in the naming of species.
The guide has been produced with the assistance of the Shark Trust and the Skates and Rays Producers Association (SRPA). The website is also a collaborative effort between Seafish and these two bodies and contains versions of the guides for printing or to keep electronically.
The website also features a database for processors to enter data regarding their purchases of skates and rays. Over the coming months, with the build up of this species information, an accurate picture will start to appear of the different coastal and sea areas. This data will help to identify any areas of concern as well as confirming the health of the already sustainable and thriving fisheries.
Seafish Development Director Jon Harman said: "The guides are essential as there is currently a great deal of confusion regarding the naming of skates and rays. As all fish in this group are landed under a generic heading of skates and rays, landings data by species is unavailable. The guide and poster we have produced should help fishermen, processors and fish selling agents correctly identify the species that they are dealing with. This, combined with our database for processors, will assist fisheries scientists who make stock assessments for these species."