Once a month we will be sharing a marine species reported via the Fair Isle Marine WhatsApp group. This group is a space for community members and visitors to the isle to share any interesting marine finds. These reports also contribute to marine species records for Fair Isle to help monitor changes in biodiversity.
This month we have a common find on the shores of Fair Isle….flapper skate egg cases.
Flapper skate eggs are large (width 10-14 cm, length 13-23 cm excluding horns) and have a tough outer coat which protects the embryo during development. Previously, little was known about where flapper skate would lay their eggs, but recent observations indicate that a seabed of boulder and cobble in relatively shallow waters is favoured and that eggs remain on the seabed developing for over a year before hatching (NatureScot).
If you find a flapper skate egg case you can record where you have found it via the Shetland Community Wildlife website. This information will contribute to national databases which keep a record of where egg cases are washing up to help get a better understanding of where these eggs may be being laid.