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 Skates and Rays in the UK |
Skates and rays (Family Rajidae) are relatively large-bodied elasmobranch fishes, of which around 15 species have been recorded from UK waters. Of these, only about 7 or 8 species are commonly encountered in British coastal waters. Historically, all these skate and ray species were contained in a single genus (Raja), although a recent taxonomic revision of the Family Rajidae has resulted in the creation of several genera.
In northwest Atlantic waters these include: Raja, Rostroraja, Dipturus, Leucoraja, Amblyraja and Rajella.
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 Skate and Ray Life History
Skates and rays are oviparous (producing eggs that develop and hatch outside the body of the female). Once the juveniles hatch, the eggcases that housed the developing babies eventually get washed up on shore and can be found along the shoreline and the back of the beach. Different species of skate lay distinct sizes and shapes of egg cases.
Skates lay their eggcases on the seabed, partially covered by sand, to come to term. Inside the eggcase the embryo matures until a fully developed miniature skate, wrapped in its own wings, is ready to leave through the top of the eggcase. While still inside, the skates can draw in water through small openings in the horns of the eggcase by beating its tail, thus maintaining a continued supply of oxygenated water flowing through the eggcase.
Young develop over 6-9 months and hatch as miniature adults. The egg cases (mermaid’s purses) that protect the developing young are then washed ashore after hatching. The presence  of large numbers of egg cases on a beach, or females being caught when about to lay eggs, may indicate a nursery ground nearby and is an invaluable piece of evidence in the conservation of these organisms.
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