SCUBAHUB
AN EMERGENCY MARINE Protected Area ( MPA ) has been designated in the Inner Sound of Skye to protect the largest known egg-laying habitat for the flapper skate ( Dipturus intermedius ). The concentration of more than 100 flapper skate eggs , discovered in October 2020 , exemplifies the importance of citizen science .
The flapper skate is the largest of its kind in Europe , possibly the world , and can grow up to more than 2.5 metres in length . Threats from habitat loss and fishing pressure have led to a significant decline in numbers , and the flapper skate is now locally extinct from much of its former range in the Northeast Atlantic . Despite this decline , Scotland offers hope for the species , with strong occurrences and site fidelity recorded on the west coast and around Orkney .
Reaching sexual maturity at around 11 years , flapper skates are inherently vulnerable to exploitation and slow to recover long after threats are removed . Females are thought to reproduce on a two-year cycle and eggs take 18 months to hatch . The newly designated site is reported to host eggs at varying stages of incubation , evidencing the frequent use of the area by pregnant females .
Safeguarding flapper skate
BSAC ’ s Environment Team reports on newly announced emergency protection for flapper skate in Scotland
The Red Rocks and Longay Urgent MPA has been designated as an area of national importance to the species . The urgent marine conservation order came into force on 17 March this year and will prohibit a number of marine activities , including fishing and recreational diving for an initial period of 12 months .
The site joins Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area , designated to protect resident mature flapper skates , and thought to be used by the species for mating . The new designation marks progression towards a network of protected areas for essential flapper skate habitat .
Although diving is usually considered to have a low impact on the marine environment , the vulnerable nature of the species has led the Scottish Government to act with caution and limit all activity that may potentially impact the eggs while permanent measures are being developed . Before permanent measures are put in place , there will be a full stakeholder engagement process , including consultation and impact assessment . This will be the diving community ’ s chance to have its say .
BSAC welcomes the protection of vulnerable marine habitats . However , we are concerned that diving has been suspended without consultation or evidence of harm from recreational divers . We will be writing to the Scottish Government asking for recreational diving to continue as soon as possible , as part of the permanent marine protected area measures .
First Class Diver and marine biologist Shane Wasik explains his concerns over the ban
The recent news of a temporary Marine Protected Area ( MPA ) for flapper skate in Skye has been welcomed after the discovery of numerous egg cases . However , in the rush to designate the sites a suspected breeding ground , divers have been wrongly identified as a risk ( disturbance to / or removal of the egg cases ) and have subsequently been banned . This is dangerous precedent to set - divers are advocates of marine reserves and generally wardens of the underwater environment . I feel as a sport we have been subject to a blanket and ill-founded exclusion , when around the world people are encouraged to responsibly enjoy marine reserves . In my opinion , people should be encouraged to visit , enjoy and be advocates for MPAs , while their important features are protected within such areas .
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