Skate

Family Rajidae

• Portuguese: Raia oirega
• Spanish: Noriega
• French: Pocheteau (blanc)
• Dutch: Vleet
• German: Glattrochen
• Polish: Raja gladka
• Russian: Serӯ skat
• Swedish: Slätrocka
• Norwegian: Storskate
• Danish: Skade
• Icelandic: Skata
• Other: Scat (Ireland); Blue skate (Scotland) and Dinnan (Aberdeen)

REMARKS This deep-water species grows to a length of about 2 metres. It has a grey or brown back with lighter spots and black dots; the underside is blue-grey or ash, with spots.

Note the long snout. That of Dipturus oxyrhinchus Linnaeus, is even longer; so it is called the LONG-NOSE SKATE. This is known in France as pocheteau noir, or as raie capucin, after the hood of a Capucin friar, or by the mysterious name tyre, at Boulogne.