Family Rajidae - skates

Skates are common in bays, on the continental shelf and some species live at depths greater than 7,000 feet. Body form is flattened and coloration typically matches the substrate. Most species lie half buried in the bottom sediment during the day and move about at night to feed. To reproduce these fish lay a unique egg case which is referred to as a mermaids purse.

Big skate- Raja binoculata

Remarks: The big skate can be found in the bay during the warmer months but not in abundance. While in the bay it will remain in the deeper channels and may feed on the flats during flood tides. It is ometimes taken by anglers from piers. These fish feed along the bottom picking up invertebrates and fishes. The pectorals of the big skate like the bat ray are edible.

Identification: A large fish reaching over 2m across and 91kg in mature specimens. Body is flattened, brownish above and white underneath. There are two eyespots, one on each pectoral fin surface, which help to identify this fish.

Range: Found from the Bearing Sea to Point Conception, staying in the shallows to about 110m.