Beaked Skate

Between 2000 and 2002, three artisanal landing sites were sampled in southern Chile, with data on population structure and reproductive development collected from 5477 yellownose skates Zearaja chilensis. Total length (LT) ranged from 33 to 158 cm for females and 34 to 155 cm for males. No sexual dimorphism was evident in disc size (length or width) or in LT –mass relationships. The smallest mature female was 95 cm LT and the size at which 50% were mature (LT50) was 109 cm. Males matured between 80 and 90 cm LT with a LT50 of 88 cm. Although the largest Z. chilensis captured by the artisanal fishery was 155 cm LT, 89% of landings comprised relatively small, immature fish. This situation may compromise the stock integrity if intrinsic vulnerability and probable long-life span of Z. chilensis are considered. Consequences for the survival of the species and possible signs of a fishery collapse must be reviewed by management authorities by consideration of both artisanal and industrial landings in Chile.

Total length (TL) at first sexual maturity was estimated for Atlantoraja castelnaui and Dipturus chilensis from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Total length at which 50% of the females were captured (50% c) was less than the TL at first sexual maturity (ML) in both species. Immature females are being captured and thus will not become sexually mature to reproduce because of early fishing mortality. Females of A. castelnaui and D. chilensis reach sexual maturity at TLs of 110–114 cm and 102–106 cm, respectively. Males mature with TL between 91 and 95 cm for A. castelnaui and between 83 and 87 cm for D. chilensis.

La raya volantín (Zearaja chilensis) es una especie de peces de la familia de los Rajidae en el orden de los Rajiformes.