The waters around Orkney have been shown to be an important area for the IUCN certified critically endangered 'Common' Skate (Flapper skate Dipturus intermedia and Blue skate Dipturus flossada combined) for many years.  The species has been subject to varying degrees of fishing pressure from both recreational anglers and commercial fishing operations.  This fishing pressure has fluctuated over the years but still exists up to current day, with the hope that recent legislation from Brussels will see the subsequent release of unharmed captured fish back into the wild.

The Orkney Skate remains relatively cryptic in comparison to other areas in Scotland such as around the Sound of Mull where Skate have been studied using data generated by a tag and release fishing programme for over 30 years and has made some significant scientific discoveries regarding the species biology and ecology and especially migration.

The Orkney Skate Project hopes to build on the work done around the Sound of Mull by creating and undertaking research on the Orkney population of  Skate. 

Tag and Release Project 2009-2011

                Skate tag and release fishing scheme in Orkney.

 Egg case research

                 Skate egg case sightings around Orkney

Skate sightings and maps

                Skate sightings and records around Orkney.

Skate diving and filming project

               Aiming to capture underwater footage and images of Skate.

 

NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

ORKNEY SKATE TRUST will take over the website for the Skate Conservation Project in Orkney.

Please look at www.orkneyskatetrust.org.uk

or email mail@orkneyskatetrust.org.uk