The thornback ray is a common member of the skate family found in Cornish waters. It gets its name from numerous thorn like spines, which are modified ‘skin teeth’ on its upper surface and along the tail. Often marketed as 'skate wings' which is a catchall term for many species of local rays. Be sure to ask your fishmonger which species you are buying as some are less sustainable than others.
The thornback is a medium sized ray of the skate family. Like all skates Its biology makes it vulnerable to over fishing as it grows slowly and produces a small number of large eggs (in egg cases known as mermaids purses) each year. Stocks are not as high as they once were however popluations of Thornback ray are increasing across the Celtic seas but fishing effort is unknown, (ICES 2018). Overall ray catches are limited by a mixed species quota. There are issues with by catch in net fisheries for ray and with impact on the seabed with trawl fisheries. if you do want to eat skate or ray this is a good choice - make sure you ask for Thornback ray as many other skate and ray species are far less abundant. It is not recommended that you buy skate wings that are smaller than 22cm
A total of 23 tonnes of thornback rays were landed to Cornish ports in 2019, with a value of £27K (MMO data).
Updated December 2020
Cornish boats landing to Cornish ports
Demersal trawls are large nets that are pulled through the water with the bottom edge of the net touching the seabed. At each edge the net is pulled open by metal ‘trawl doors’. Sometimes referred to as Otter trawling.
Learn moreCornish boats landing to Cornish ports
Gill nets are lightweight nets made of nylon (monofilament) fishing line that are anchored to the seabed and are used to catch fish by entangling the gills.
Learn moreCornish boats landing to Cornish ports
Beam trawls are nets attached to a steel beam that holds the net open. The belly of the net is made of chains and the upper surface of the net is mesh. Beam trawlers pull two nets along the seabed simultaneously.
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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.
Thornback rays are an inshore species of skate and are the most common species in Cornish waters. They are medium sized with females growing up to 130cm in length. Thornback rays are known to return to a specific location in order to breed or feed. They are a relatively slow growing species that matures late and produces a relatively small number of eggs each year. Females can grow to 118cm in length and 18kg in weight, while males can reach 98cm in length. Females mature between 60 and 85cm while males mature between 60 and 77cm (in both cases corresponding to an age of 5 to 10 years). The species has a maximum recorded age of 16 years.
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
