Skate

Scientific Name

Harvest Method

Harvest Area

Seasonality

Responsible Sourcing Information

Whole Fish Size

Filet Size

Yield From Whole Fish to Filet

Cooking Notes

Holds up to baking, deep-frying, poaching, and sautéing. Firm flesh, stringy texture, mildly pronounced flavor.

Best Substitutes

Scallops, Flounder, Rockfish.

Editorial

Skate, a unique fish belonging to the ray family, is a fascinating denizen of the ocean with a distinctive diamond-shaped body. Found in the Northeast and winter skate complexes along the Atlantic coast, these flat-bodied creatures are known for their cartilaginous skeletons and wing-like pectoral fins. Skate species play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem, preying on small fish and invertebrates, while also falling prey to larger predators.

In terms of harvest areas, skate can be found in various locations across the globe. Commonly, they are harvested in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Southern Hemisphere waters. The targeted areas often include coastal regions and continental shelves where skate thrive.

Most skate are caught incidentally by fishermen employing bottom trawls and gillnets to catch other targeted species, such as groundfish, monkfish, or scallops. The process involves dragging nets along the seabed and capturing skates as bycatch.

With a slow reproductive rate, these intriguing creatures require careful management to ensure their sustainability. Over the years, there has been a growing awareness of the need to manage skate populations responsibly. Organizations, such as the NOAA Fisheries, implement regulations to manage skate populations, such as minimum size limits and possession restrictions, ensuring the long-term health of these species.

With its wings as the only edible parts, skate offers a mildly pronounced flavor, firm flesh, and stringy texture. Skate holds up to being baked, deep-fried, and poached. It’s often compared to scallops and its firm flesh is perfect for a variety of cooking methods. It is also a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B12.

If you are looking for a suitable substitution for skate in recipes, scallops or flounder are excellent options. These flatfish have a similar texture and mild flavor profile to skate, making them suitable replacements in dishes that call for skate.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/northeast-skate-complex/recreational

Skate Fish

https://www.seafoodsource.com/seafood-handbook/finfish/skate