Top Winter Skate Fishing Countries

The winter skate (*Leucoraja ocellata*) is a benthic cartilaginous fish found primarily in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, characterized by its flattened body and distinctive eye-like spots on its dorsal surface. This species inhabits cold, shallow coastal waters and is often caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries targeting other groundfish. The primary countries involved in the harvesting of winter skate are Canada and the United States, particularly in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Scotian Shelf, and Georges Bank regions. In Canada, winter skate is both targeted and landed as bycatch, with its wings processed for food and the remainder often used for bait or discarded. The United States also manages winter skate fisheries, with regulations in place to prevent overfishing due to the species’ vulnerability and slow reproductive rate. Both countries have implemented quota systems and conservation measures to ensure the sustainability of winter skate populations, reflecting the growing importance of responsible fisheries management in the North Atlantic.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.