The Blue Skate is also known as the Common Skate and is very rarely seen nowadays around our coasts due to over fishing. Very occasionally it can be found in waters around northern England and in the English Channel.

The Blue Skate is a large ray with a long pointed snout. It is the largest European ray and can grow nearly three metres in length. The Blue Skate looks kite-shaped because it has a flattened body and broad wing-like fins. It also has a long tail with thorny spines running along it. The upper part of the Blue Skate is a greenish brown colour with a tint of blue. It has lighter mottling on its back and the underside is a dark greyish black with black spots or stripes.

Young Blue Skates develop from eggs inside cases which are about six centimetres long and four centimetres wide. The cases are dark and oblong-shaped and are known as Mermaid Purses. Mermaid Purses are often washed up on our beaches. They can easily be recognised because they look like they have a horn sticking out of each corner.