Marine / Inshore areas recognised for flapper skate and thornback rays
TWO INSHORE areas in Shetland are set to be awarded status as important shark and ray areas (ISRAs).
Researchers at UHI Shetland led the submissions, for an area for flapper skate in the Fair Isle area and one for thornback ray in the Swarbacks Minn area.
These proposals were accepted following an external review by an independent panel of experts, composed of individuals recognised by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group.
The identification of the areas is an evidence-driven process aimed at increasing the knowledge of threatened shark and ray species.
These are not marine protected areas, UHI Shetland said, and are not associated with any restrictions on activity in the areas.
The Fair Isle ISRA covers areas ranging from 0-90m deep around the island, and relate to flapper skate – known locally as barn door skate – which have been reportedly observed in higher abundances in recent years by local fishermen.
The data collected by UHI Shetland during fisheries surveys around Shetland and Fair Isle, has revealed evidence of an abundance hotspot in the Fair Isle area.
Mia McAllister, a researcher who led the ISRA proposals, said they had found a “relative abundance of flapper skate in Fair Isle”.
She added that further research was required to “understand the exact nature and function of flapper skate aggregations around Fair Isle.”
The Swarbacks Minn ISRA is located in the southeast of St Magnus Bay in the area south of Muckle Roe and in the connected channels around Papa Little.
Data from the annual Shetland Inshore Fish Survey conducted by UHI Shetland showed that this area is an important reproductive area for thornback ray, with consistent catches of juveniles recorded.
Flapper skate are also often recorded in this area and are listed in the Swarbacks Minn ISRA as a supporting species.
“This news represents a really important international recognition of the research we’re carrying out in Shetland”, said Dr Shaun Fraser, senior scientist and fisheries lead at UHI Shetland.
“To be clear, there’s no implication that this new status should lead to some restriction on fishing or other marine activities in the areas.
“Nonetheless, this identification as ISRAs highlights the value of the data collected by UHI Shetland during our annual survey efforts and provides further evidence of the importance of our nearshore areas as vital habitats for threatened and valuable marine species.
“This recognition will help to put these areas into an international context and underscores the need for further research on important Shetland nearshore habitats that support the wider ecosystem.”
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