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Irish Record 36 lbs, 8 ozs, Specimen 25 lbs Irish Record 72.5 lbs, Specimen 20 lbs
The Blonde Ray, Raja brachyura, **  is caught in large numbers when seeking other rays.  It grows larger than the thornbacks, to > 30 lbs but again anything > 10 lbs is a fair fish.  There is no difficulty with identification!  Like most rays it is typically found in relatively shallow water and over sand.  Recently a 30 lbs specimen was returned live to the Shannon Estuary by a member of Limerick SAC. Here is a rare one to be very careful of - the Atlantic Electric Ray, Torpedo nobiliana, and it can reach 5 feet and 180 lbs!  Photos martked ** courtesy of Dr Ian Lawler of Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Another species of electric ray, the Spotted Torpedo is found further north but has not been recorded in Ireland... This is a rare capture and is supposedly capable of shocking you up through the fishing line!
Sorry, No Picture Available Yet !
Irish Record: 221 lbs, Specimen Delisted. (White) Irish Record: 165 lbs, Specimen 120 lbs
NB: all fish should be returned alive. This Common Skate, Raja batis,  weighted well over 100 lbs.  Fish close to 200 lbs have been caught again recently.  The Common Skate is on the IUCN list of endangered fish species, so tagging and catch and release is mandatory, and lets hope we see these magnificant creatures survive and repopulate our coastal marks. Two other species of skate are found occassionally in Irish waters, the White Skate, Rostroraja alba, and the Long Nosed Skate, Raja oxyrinchus.  The Long Nosed Skate has not record listed, but a specimen can be claimed for any fish over 80 lbs.  We very strongly recommend catch and release for all skate, as proper photos are sufficient evidence any claims you make.