The Barndoor Skate (Dipturus laevis) is one of the largest skate species in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, recognized by its broad, diamond-shaped body and reaching lengths of up to 1.5 meters. This demersal fish inhabits continental shelf waters from Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence down to North Carolina. Historically, barndoor skates were often caught as bycatch in trawl and longline fisheries targeting groundfish such as cod and haddock, with the United States and Canada being the primary countries harvesting this species. Due to overfishing and bycatch, barndoor skate populations declined sharply in the late 20th century, leading to stricter management and conservation measures. Today, the U.S. (particularly the Northeast, including Massachusetts and Maine) and Canada (notably Nova Scotia and Newfoundland) remain the top countries involved in barndoor skate fishing, though landings are carefully regulated to support population recovery and sustainable fisheries.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.