Common Skate

Common Name: Common Skate

Scientific Name: *Dipturus batis (synonyme: Raja batis)

Description: The common skate is the largest skate in the world, attaining a length of up to 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in). Historically, it was one of the most abundant skates in the northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its name, today it appears to be absent from much of this range. Where previously abundant, fisheries directly targeted this skate and elsewhere it is caught incidentally as bycatch. The species was uplisted to critically endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2006 and it is protected within the EU.

OSPAR Regions where it occurs: I, II, III, IV, V

OSPAR Regions where under threat and/or in decline: I, II, III, IV, V

What is the latest status of the common skate?

The status assessment describes the latest changes in distribution, abundance and range of the feature, as well as any changes in the threats and pressures impacting the feature. The status assessments are updated regularly and inform OSPAR’s consideration of the effectiveness of the measures and actions that have been adopted and implemented by Contracting Parties.

Why is this feature included on the OSPAR List?

What protective measures and actions has OSPAR committed to taking?

What actions have been implemented by OSPAR?

An implementation report will be published in July 2022