I was wondering if this is a Pacific Great Skate (raja binoculata) aka Big Skate, Pacific Barndoor Skate and Barndoor Skate. It sure looks like a smaller version.
nwscubamom wrote:Yup, it's a Big Skate - how 'big' was it though?
Divers don't usually get to see the BIIIIIIG big skates - just the younguns.
- Janna
Yeah, I've never been real impressed with their size either, especially since they have "BIG" in their name! They're supposed to grow to almost 9 feet long. (LINK) That would be WICKED to see one of them suckers!
nwscubamom wrote:Yup, it's a Big Skate - how 'big' was it though?
Yes, why didn't one of you guys pose with it? We need perspective!
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Definitely a Big Skate. Gerry, Mattwave, and I saw a HUGE one at Cove 2 one morning in about 30fsw several months ago. It was REALLY big - looked like a big piece of plastic on the ground, well, until it moved. Realistically, keeping the 25% thing in mind, it was probably 5' wide from tip-to-tip and maybe a bit longer from nose to tail. Huge monster of a skate - very cool.
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Sounder wrote: Realistically, keeping the 25% thing in mind, it was probably 5' wide from tip-to-tip and maybe a bit longer from nose to tail. Huge monster of a skate - very cool.
Good grief! I'd love to see one that big! Lucky snake!
nwscubamom wrote:Yup, it's a Big Skate - how 'big' was it though?
Divers don't usually get to see the BIIIIIIG big skates - just the younguns.
Where did you see it?
- Janna
Hmmm, yeah perspective would have ruined the photo. Honestly, it wasn't very big at all. Maybe a foot from wing tip to wing tip. It was laying on the slope in about 60 fsw at Mukilteo.
Saw one last night at 175 ft below the MOFO wall on Ruston Way, saw another in 24 ft of water just below the eel grass 2 days ago at the Lobster Shop wall. Seem to be alot of them around right now.
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