A Note on The Distribution and Diet of Deep-Water Rays (Rajidae) in An Area of The Rockall Trough

Abstract

The demersal fish populations of the slopes of the Rockall Trough (250 to 3000m) have been sampled by a number of different types of trawl (Gordon & Duncan, 1985; Gordon, 1986). The diets of most species have been described (Mauchline & Gordon, 1980, 1983a,b, 1984a,b,c) and aspects of the trophic ecology discussed (Mauchline & Gordon, 1985, 1986). Rays were relatively uncommon in the early sampling but the more recent use of a Marinovitch semi-balloon trawl with mud rollers and chain on the footrope has increased catches. This paper describes the distribution and diet of 12 species of ray from the slopes of the Rockall Trough.