258 Clear-nosed Skate 



Clear-nosed Skate, Brier Skate 

 Raja e giant eria Bosc 



Color: Upper surface of body light and dark brown; brown 



spots and bars. Lower surface white. 



Distribution: Massachusetts Bay to Florida. 



Size: Maximum length recorded slightly over 3 feet. A 



specimen 31 inches long weighed 6Vi pounds. 



General Information: Abundant seasonally from New York 



to Virginia. It occurs in shallow waters along beaches and 



out to depths of 400 feet. Feeds on crabs, shrimp, squid, 



and fish. In the north, matures when 2-3 feet long. The 



eggs are probably laid in spring. Young are about SVi 



inches long when hatched. 



Economic Importance: Common in the commercial catch 



of the fisheries in the Middle Atlantic area. The pectoral 



fins or "wings" of the largest specimens are occasionally 



used for food. The Clear-nosed Skate is frequently caught 



by the surf-caster fishing off the shores of New York and 



New Jersey. 



