Skate

Many species of skate (which are closely related to sharks) around the world are threatened. This is because of severe overfishing, low reproductive rates, and a poor understanding of their biology. However the skates caught off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington are in much better shape thanks to a new type of management program, which has helped fishermen stay within catch limits, avoid overfished species and stay out of sensitive areas. As a result, these species are now considered a sustainable choice.

Many species of skate (which are closely related to sharks) around the world are threatened. This is because of severe overfishing, low reproductive rates, and a poor understanding of their biology. However the skates caught off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington are in much better shape thanks to a new type of management program, which has helped fishermen stay within catch limits, avoid overfished species and stay out of sensitive areas. As a result, these species are now considered a sustainable choice.

MORE ABOUT SKATE

The winter skate grows to over 3 feet (0.9 meter) in length and prefers gravelly and sandy bottoms in shallower northern waters. The stock isn't overfished, but it is often misidentified so precise fishing levels are unknown. It is often caught with other species that are vulnerable to overfishing, and closed areas and gear modifications are used to reduce seafloor impacts.

Commercial Sources

Winter skate are found in the western North Atlantic, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to North Carolina.

The main source of winter skate is the United States.

Capture Methods

Winter skate come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with bottom trawls and gillnets. Additional types of fishing gear include hooks-and-lines.

Many species of skate (which are closely related to sharks) around the world are threatened. This is because of severe overfishing, low reproductive rates, and a poor understanding of their biology. However the skates caught off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington are in much better shape thanks to a new type of management program, which has helped fishermen stay within catch limits, avoid overfished species and stay out of sensitive areas. As a result, these species are now considered a sustainable choice.

Many species of skate (which are closely related to sharks) around the world are threatened. This is because of severe overfishing, low reproductive rates, and a poor understanding of their biology. However the skates caught off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington are in much better shape thanks to a new type of management program, which has helped fishermen stay within catch limits, avoid overfished species and stay out of sensitive areas. As a result, these species are now considered a sustainable choice.