Unidentified Skate Found on Beach

Lindsey Markoff writes:

Sandpaper skate or Aleutian skate — unusual for this to wash up along the coastal beach of Togiak, Alaska.

Mandy Lindberg Fisheries Research Biologist with NOAA, writes:

Its tough to ID this skate by the photo. It probably is from the genus Bathyraja but I can't tell what species.

Comment from LEO Editorial Team:

In September of 2012, a LEO Observer in Barrow also reported an unidentified skate washed up on the beach. It was identified by an Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) skate expert as an Alaska skate (Bathyraja parmifera), a common species in the shallow waters of the Bering Sea. Dr. Ken Goldman, with ADFG Division of Commercial Fisheries, explained that it is relatively uncommon to find skates washed up anywhere, as they usually sink to the bottom. The skate found in Barrow may have been carried to shore by bottom currents or wave action.

"Two genera of skates are found in Alaskan waters, Raja and Bathyraja. Most of the Alaskan skate species belong to the genus Bathyraja. These are generally smaller than the skate species belonging to the genus Raja and found in deeper waters." Source: Skates of Alaska Research This observation has been forwarded to NOAA Fisheries staff for species identification. Moses Tcheripanoff

Resources:

NOAA Fisheries has a series of resources for those interested in skate species found in Alaska. The Skates of Alaska poster is a helpful resource for identifying skate species. Read about about skate life history, food habits, and more at the NOAA Skates of Alaska page.