Skate

[Elton]

I'm going through a load of old material on Anglers' Net today and have forgotten more than I remember (if that makes sense).

 

I thought that this old article would make good reading for some, as it shows just how this forum can be when at it's best.

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/authors/elton49.htm

 

Just reminds me, yet again, what a great loss Alan was. That said, we can still learn from the old boy.

[Snatcher]

Never met Alan in person but we "swopped" stuff

[David.W]

What a great read, I'm so glad you put that up.

[shrek]

That was enjoyable to read, and the pictures are superb. Cheers for re-posting that Elton.

Edited January 5, 2006 by shrek

[Sharkbyte]

I enjoyed that.

 

How long lived are Common Skate?

[Davy Holt]

Hiya,

 

Thanks for posting that Elton, it's brought back some really good memories

 

 

Sharkbyte,

the feeling just now is they can live for 50 to 60 years, possibly even more, given that they are normally around 10 years old before they become sexually mature.

[Norm B]

I'm going through a load of old material on Anglers' Net today and have forgotten more than I remember (if that makes sense).

 

I thought that this old article would make good reading for some, as it shows just how this forum can be when at it's best.

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/authors/elton49.htm

 

Just reminds me, yet again, what a great loss Alan was. That said, we can still learn from the old boy.

Ah, memories.

[sam-cox]

very good read, nice one Elton.

Most of the shark family aare long lived.

Davy how do you guys age the skake as they have no scales? I know bass can also be aged by their ears but the ears have to be cut out to be read.

[tugmistress]

Good Question, how would you age a skate? do you do it by size and some clever mathematical equation?

[Davy Holt]

Hiya,

 

Good Question, how would you age a skate? do you do it by size and some clever mathematical equation?

 

sadly there is no easy method of ageing skate, the guestimate of 50 to 60 years has came about through working with the growth rate data gained through the tagging programme.

 

Given that they take roughly 10 years to become sexually mature at a weight of around 80lb - 100lb, a female has a growth rate of around 6lb - 14lb per year with a max ceiling weight of around 200lb. However, there have been Common skate caught Commercially to over 460lb which would mean they would have to be relatively long lived to be able to attain such sizes.

 

on a foot note.. thanks to whichever MOD it was that removed the offending post.