The Knowledge

The lowdown on this popular, but endangered, large species

All you need to know about common skate.

The common skate is one of the largest species of fish that sea anglers can successfully target around the coast of the British Isles, with specimens in excess of 100lb frequent in some areas.

Common skate were assessed as being endangered globally, and critically endangered in shelf and enclosed seas in the 2000 IUCN Red List, and in 2006 this classification was increased to critically endangered globally. Clearly, all skate caught must be handled with care and released as quickly as possible.