Dipturus batis and D. intermedius were previously thought to be conspecific. Data deficient. All Northern Ireland records should now be recognised as D. intermedius (formerly all being recorded as D. batis before species split).

D. batis recommended for inclusion as in some legislation (e.g. Wildlife (NI) Order) both D. batis and D. intermedius are still regarded as the same species and only D. batis is formally included.

In brief

• Previously D. batis and D. intermedius were considered conspecific, however Northern Irish records should be considered as D. intermedius and require review.
• Both species are considered Critically Endangered on Irish and European scale, Endangered on a global scale and populations are declining.
• Historically targeted for fishing and populations have not recovered.

Similar species: Could be confused with Dipturus intermedius, although all Northern Irish records should be considered to be D. intermedius.

Current status: Critically endangered/population is depleted. Data deficient.

Why is this species a priority in Northern Ireland?

• Criterion 1: Internationally listed species.
• Criterion 2: Decline based on available data and expert judgement.

Threats: Fishing - historically it was deliberately targeted in areas where it was once common, resulting in this species suffering severe decline and now being critically endangered. Although it is now prohibited to land D. batis (and D. intermedius) it is still caught accidentally as bycatch during bottom trawling and set net fishing. The impact of recreational fishing still needs to be evaluated, as impacts from catch and release fishing are poorly understood.

Action: Records of new sites for this species, with details of habitat and population are always valuable. However records from Northern Ireland are likely to be D. intermedius.

Observations with a photograph can be recorded using iNaturalist, find the MBDP-NI iNaturalist project here.

Alternatively, records can be sent to CEDaR, National Museums Northern Ireland, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU. Tel 028 9039 5257, e-mail cedar.records@nationalmuseumsni.org, or via the online portal.

Objectives: Reassess records for Northern Ireland and reclassify to D. intermedius if appropriate, so that there is more accurate distribution and population estimate.

Conservation:

• Critically Endangered on European and Irish Red List.
• Considered Endangered on a global scale.
• On OSPAR list of Threatened and/or Declining species and habitats.
• Protected under Wildlife (NI) Order Schedule 5.

Distribution Map from NBN: Dipturus batis at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Dipturus batis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Dipturus batis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Dipturus batis (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 105869.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Chondrichthyes; Elasmobranchii; Neoselachii; Batoidea; Rajiformes; Rajidae; Dipturus