Finding the Flapper Skate
How Seasearch Divers helped identify the location of a new protected area for Flapper Skate
The flapper skate story
The flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) is a Critically Endangered species that occurs largely in the northern North Sea and off Scotland’s northwest coast.
Little is known about flapper skate breeding grounds and breeding habits due to their rarity. However it is recognised that their eggs take around 18 months to hatch, making them sensitive to seabed disturbance.
Seasearch is a project where recreational divers and snorkellers collect and submit data about the marine environment. Volunteers taking part in Seasearch have been instrumental in improving the understanding of, and protecting, flapper skate habitat in Scotland.
Flapper skate distribution
Flapper skate records available on NBN Atlas Scotland show the limited information available on the distribution of this species.
Seasearch is a data partner of the NBN Atlas, and observations from their volunteers are contributing to filling in data gaps for the flapper skate.
Discovering a new breeding ground
Flapper egg cases were discovered in high numbers at Red Rocks, off the Isle of Skye, in 2019.
Seasearch volunteers were involved in recording and documentation of the habitat in which these egg cases occurred
The site where they were found was adjacent to fishing areas and potentially vulnerable to seabed dredging.
A new Marine Protected Area for flapper skate
After documenting the breeding ground for flapper skate found at Red Rocks, an urgent Marine Protected Area (MPA) was declared in March 2021.
Further surveys in 2021 discovered a large numbers of flapper skate egg cases outside the urgent MPA boundary.
Following further consultation, the original site was revoked and an extended site was urgently designated on 16 December 2021. Permanent designation and protection for the MPA came into force on 9 February 2023.
The contribution of Seasearch volunteers demonstrates the crucial role that volunteer recorders can play in providing the evidence needed to protect some of Scotland's most endangered species.
Seasearch thanks all their supporters, in particular the support of NatureScot for Seasearch in Scotland is gratefully acknowledged.
