The Thornback Ray, Raja clavata, is Britain's most common member of the Ray family. It is reasonably common all round our shores and prefers muddy, sandy or gravelly bottoms and can be seen in water only a few metres deep.
Vary variable in colour, it is usually a blend of yellow and grey with various blotches although immature specimens are covered in dark spots. This dorsal area and tail of this ray is covered in sharp prickles with some larger stronger backward-pointing thorns which are called "bucklers".
It is often called Roker, particularly when offered for sale but can also be advertised as "skate" - another species entirely and which is almost extinct around our shores due to over-fishing.

The Thornback Ray, Raja clavata, is Britain's most common member of the Ray family. It is reasonably common all round our shores and prefers muddy, sandy or gravelly bottoms and can be seen in water only a few metres deep.
Vary variable in colour, it is usually a blend of yellow and grey with various blotches although immature specimens are covered in dark spots. This dorsal area and tail of this ray is covered in sharp prickles with some larger stronger backward-pointing thorns which are called "bucklers".
It is often called Roker, particularly when offered for sale but can also be advertised as "skate" - another species entirely and which is almost extinct around our shores due to over-fishing.