A very distinctive skate that is easily recognised due to prominent eye spots (ocelli) on the wings.

Species description: A beautiful skate that can be recognised instantly by its striking 'eye-spot' pattern. There is a dark black spot filled with yellow blotches in the middle of each wing. There is row of double spines along its tail extending part of the way up the body, younger animals have an additional row of spines. The snout is blunt and the wings are rounded, the main colour overall is blotchy, from light brown to sandy-yellow.

Similar species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species, eye spot pattern is diagnostic.

How to see this species: On various sediment types from around 20 m to 150 m, although not often seen by divers as seems to prefer deeper water. Found all around Britain and Ireland where there is suitable habitat.

Current status: Vulnerable and declining. Data deficient. This species is still allowed to be taken by commercial fishing operations, despite population decline and lack of available data. Moved from Least Concern to Near Threatened in 2024 IUCN Red List update due to declining population (estimated 20-29% reduction in mature individuals over 3 generations).

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: Threatened by commercial fishing. Despite populations declining on a global scale, and increased pressures on some geographical populations (e.g. Irish Red List status is Vulnerable) this species is still allowed to be targeted commercially. It is also at risk of accidental bycatch from bottom fishing methods.

Action: Records of new sites for this species, with details of habitat and population are always valuable. 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:

• Assess current population.
• Reduce or eliminate commercial fishing pressure as population is in decline.
• Discourage recreational targeting of this species, and where accidentally caught ensure best practice for release.

Conservation:

• Listed as Vulnerable on Irish Red List.
• Listed as Near Threatened in global context by IUCN, upgraded from Least Concern in 2024 indicating significant decline.

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

iNaturalist: Leucoraja naevus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Leucoraja naevus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Leucoraja naevus (Müller & Henle, 1841). AphiaID: 105876.

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