262 Thorny Skate 



Distribution: Grand Banks of Newfoundland south to 

 North CaroUna. 



Size: Maximum length about VA feet. A specimen IV2 

 feet long weighs about 7 pounds. 



General Information: Commonly found both in the shoal 

 waters along the shore and down to depths of 240 feet. 

 It has been recorded at a depth of 360 feet. The main food 

 of this skate is crabs, but worms, shrimp, shellfish, and 

 small fishes are also eaten. In southern New England the 

 eggs appear to be laid throughout the year. Newly hatched 

 young are AVi-S inches long. 



Economic Importance: Fairly common in the catch of the 

 offshore otter trawl fishery. The larger specimens are some- 

 times marketed for food. Some are processed into fish meal. 



Thorny Skate 

 Raja radiata Donovan 



Color: Upper surface of body brown. Lower surface white, 

 sometimes with brown or gray blotches. 

 Distribution: Both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean. In 

 the western Atlantic, found from Labrador to South 

 Carolina. South of Cape Cod occurs mostly in depths of 

 900-1,800 feet along the Continental Slope. 

 Size: Maximum length recorded slightly less than W2 feet. 

 General Information: Most common north of Cape Cod. 

 Feeds on crabs, shrimp, worms, and small fishes. Eggs ap- 

 pear to be deposited throughout the year. Newly hatched 

 young are about 4 inches long. 



