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Small eyed ray

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Small eyed ray by Marc Dando

Description

Small-eyed ray is a small species of ray which is a member of the skate family, like all skates it lays eggs and has a spiny tail that lacks a sting. It is commonly marketed as skate wings. This species is commonly found around the north coast of Cornwall and is abundant in the Bristol channel.  It is easily identified by its colour; a sandy background with pale lines running parallel with the front edges of the wings.

Sustainability Overview

Stocks of all skates and rays are poorly studied in our area, however we have some detailed studies carried out in area 7f  and g (off Cornwall's north coast) that show that here the stocks are healthy and fishing pressure is within sustainable levels. Unfortunately we dont have the same level of information on this species off the south coast so ratings from here are not as good. If you choose to buy skate be aware that when they have been skinned it is impossible to tell which species you are buying so please be careful and  ask to see the ray before it is skinned to ensure you are not buying an unsustainable ray.   It is not recommended that you buy skate wings that are smaller than 22cm.  Management of this species is poor (a multi species quota for rays) and it is hard for trawlers and netters to avoid accidental by-catch off this species. 

In 2022 36 tonnes of small-eyed ray were landed to Cornish ports with a value of £50k (MMO data)

Updated January 2024

 

Sustainability ratings for this species

Demersal Trawl

Bristol Channel, Celtic sea north 7 f and g

A large trawl held open by paravane trawl doors, the open net is then pulled along in contact with the seabed.

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Beam Trawling

Bristol Channel, Celtic sea north 7 f and g

Caught using heavy beam trawl nets that are dragged over the seabed.

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Gill Netting

Bristol Channel, Celtic sea north 7 f and g

Caught using monofilament nets set on the seabed

Learn more

Demersal Trawl

South coast Cornwall (7d, 7e)

A large trawl held open by paravane trawl doors, the open net is then pulled along in contact with the seabed.

Learn more

Gill Netting

South coast Cornwall (7d, 7e)

Caught using monofilament nets set on the seabed

Learn more

Beam Trawling

South coast Cornwall (7d, 7e)

Caught using heavy beam trawl nets that are dragged over the seabed.

Learn more

How we rate fish

Cornwall Good Seafood Guide rates fish on sustainability using a scale of 1 to 5.

1, 2 and 3 are recommended, Fish to avoid are rated 5.

We use the system devised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) so our scores are comparable with the scores produced by MCS for the UK and fisheries from all around the world. For more information on scoring click here.

Biology

Small-eyed rays belong to the Rajidae family which includes skates and rays. Small-eyed rays are a small to medium sized inshore and coastal species, attaining a maximum length of 80 to 90cm and weight of 8kg. All skates are slow growing and produce few eggs per year compared to commercially targeted fin fish. Males and females mature from 44 to 58cm in length. Age at maturity and maximum age is unknown. Small-eyed rays produce between 54 and 61 eggs per year. They have a high level of biological vulnerability 62/100 Cheung et all 2005. (www.fishbase.org)

Stock Info

Lastest advice from ICES showes that in area 7f  and 7g (off Cornwalls north Coast) this species is now doing well with biomass above MSY and fishing pressure below MSY. This is very good news. 

Stocks of small eyed ray off the South Cornish Coast (areas 7e and d) cannot be assessed due to insuficcient data. 

The International Conservation Union (IUCN) have rated the species as "Near Threatened" in the Northeast Atlantic.

 

Management

There is no minimum landing size for small-eyed rays in Cornwall and there is no specific management plan. They are part of a mixed species ray quota along with spotted, cuckoo, blonde and thornback rays in the Celtic Sea region. Quotas alone may not adequately protect these species as there are differences amongst species in their vulnerabilities to exploitation and a restrictive quota may lead to discarding. Instead seasonal and/or area closures, effort restrictions and measures to protect spawning grounds for example are recommended. Across the border in Devon a fisher led initiative is improving the sustainability of ray fisheries which may help Cornish stocks indirectly.
 

Capture Info

Small eyed ray are caught in beam trawls demersal trawls and gill nets. 
These fishing methods all have issues with accidental by-catch of non target species and impacts on the wider marine environment. For more information visit our fishing method pages for demersal trawling, gill netting and beam trawling.
 
Landings from the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea are far larger (approx 300 tonnes per year) than the landings from the English Channel of this species (approx 40 tonnes)
 
 
 
 

References

 
MMO landings data
 
IUCN Rating 
 
ICES Advice for 2023/4 in 7de

I
CES Advice for 2023/4 in 7fg
 
Cefas/MMO Non-retention review for 7e 2022/2023
 
Enever, R., Revill, A., Grant, A. (2009) The survival of skates (Rajidae) caught by demersal trawlers fishing in UK waters. Fisheries Research 97 (1-2) 72-76
www.fishonline.org.uk
Ref  -Cheung, W.W.L., T.J. Pitcher and D. Pauly, 2005. A fuzzy logic expert system to estimate intrinsic extinction vulnerabilities of marine fishes to fishing. Biol. Conserv. 124:97-111
 
 

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Cornwall Good Seafood Guide is underpinned by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Good Fish Guide. The first UK consumer guide to sustainable seafood. For more information visit www.fishonline.org

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