Winter Skate

About the Species

Winter skate is managed as a part of the Northeast Skate Complex along with six other skate species in the same fishery management plan. Of these species, winter skates are the primary species harvested for human consumption, for the meat in their wings. U.S. wild-caught winter skate is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.

Status

• According to the 2017 stock assessment, winter skate are not overfished and are not subject to overfishing. Scientists use a simple index method to detect significant changes in the annual fisheries survey. Winter skates are not subject to overfishing based on this method.
• Seven skate species, including winter skate, are assessed and managed as one northeast skate complex. There is a lack of data for this complex. New requirements to report skate landings by species should improve the data-poor nature of this complex.
• Estimates of winter skate abundance, or biomass, peaked in the mid-1980s, declined through the early 1990s, and increased again in recent years to moderately high levels. 

Appearance

• Skates are a relative of sharks and rays and have a kite-like shape.
• Winter skates are light brown and covered with small dark spots.
• Small spines cover most of their back. 

Biology

• Winter skates have large bodies and can grow up to 5 feet in length.
• They can live for about 20 years.
• They reproduce at a late age, when they’re approximately 11 years old and 2.5 feet long.
• Skates lay eggs year-round but have few offspring. Their eggs are enclosed in a hard leathery case called a “mermaid’s purse.” The eggs incubate for 6 to 12 months, and young skates have the adult form when they hatch.
• Skates feed on a variety of organisms such as crustaceans, mollusks, worms, squids, and fish.

Where They Live

• Winter skates range from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Canada to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Management

• NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the winter skate fishery.
• Managed under the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan:
  • Valid open access permit is required to catch, possess, transport, or sell skate.
  • Annual catch limits for winter, little, clearnose, and rosette skates, as well as response measures if the catch limits are exceeded. Winter skates are the only species targeted for human consumption. Little skate is used as bait for lobster fisheries and clearnose and rosette skates are usually discarded.
  • Fishermen are prohibited from retaining smooth (Gulf of Maine only), barndoor, and thorny skates.
  • Trip limits.
  • Fishermen and dealers must report their catch by species.
  • Management measures in other fisheries also indirectly aid in the recovery of the overfished skate species and conserve the resource.