Evidence of egg laying grounds for critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) off Orkney, UK

Phillips, Natasha D.; Garbett, Amy; Wise, Daniel; Loca, Sophie L.; Daly, Olivia; Eagling, Lawrence E.; Houghton, Jonathan D.R.; Verhoog, Peter; Thorburn, James; Collins, Patrick C.

Abstract

Essential fish habitats (EFHs) are critical for fish life-history events, including spawning, breeding, feeding or growth. Here we provide evidence of EFH for the Critically Endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) in the waters around the Orkney Isles, Scotland based on citizen-science observation data. The habitats of potential egg laying sites were parametrised as >20m depth, with boulders or exposed bedrock, in moderate current flow (0.3 - 2.8 knots) with low sedimentation. This information provides a significant contribution to our understanding of EFH for flapper skate. 

Citation

Phillips, N. D., Garbett, A., Wise, D., Loca, S. L., Daly, O., Eagling, L. E., Houghton, J. D., Verhoog, P., Thorburn, J., & Collins, P. C. (2021). Evidence of egg laying grounds for critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) off Orkney, UK. Journal of Fish Biology, 99(4), 1492-1496. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14817

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 12, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 2, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 27, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Fish Biology
• Print ISSN: 0022-1112
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 99
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1492-1496
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14817
• Keywords: citizen science, common skate, egg-laying ground, egg nursery