Distribution, Ecology and Size Composition of the White-Blotched Skate Bathyraja maculata (Arhynchobatidae) in the Northeastern Sea of Okhotsk during the Hydrological Summer

Abstract—

Based on the materials of bottom trawl surveys, the data are presented on the features of distribution, thermal conditions of habitats and the size composition of the white-blotched skate Bathyraja maculata in the northeastern Sea of Okhotsk during the hydrological summer of 1998–2019. The main aggregations of the species were found in the area of the eastern slope of the TINRO depression north of 56° N. The vertical distribution area covered depths of 60–874 m. The temperature range of the near-bottom layer of water at which the species was encountered was 0–3.0°С. High values of relative abundance were typical for depths of 401–500 and 601–700 m, for relative biomass, up to 500 m. Juveniles of white-blotched skate were found near the lower boundary of the habitat (> 600 m), and large individuals inhabited the shelf and adjacent areas of the continental slope. Presumably, one of the spawning grounds of the species is located on the eastern slope of the TINRO depression.