Skate and ray species composition in mainland Portugal from the commercial landings

Skates and rays constitute important resources for several fishing fleets of mainland Portugal with total annual landings around 1500 tons. Regardless of their commercial interest, landed specimens are not differentiated at species level. To get a preliminary insight into the species diversity of landings, a pilot sampling program on skates and rays composition was executed in the two ports of mainland Portugal with the highest landings of this group– Matosinhos and Peniche. Sampling was carried out once a month in each port between January and April 2001. Based on the information obtained, a new sampling plan was established for the artisanal fishery (gillnet fleet), at each landing port. This sampling program was conducted until the end of 2001. A total of eight species were identified. Raja brachyura and Raja clavata were the most common species found in the landings of each port, while Raja miraletus was only occasionally recorded. Rajidae landings in mainland Portugal are mainly by-catch of the artisanal segment of the commercial fishing fleet.