Scots man’s boat attacked in Shetland by endangered skate that left tooth behind

A Scottish man’s leisurely boat trip off the coast of Shetland turned into a thrilling encounter when his boat was attacked by an endangered skate, leaving a tooth embedded in the vessel. Paul Hutchison, 41, was fishing and enjoying the scenery near Muckle Roe, Shetland, when he noticed splashing behind him. Initially mistaking it for a seal, Paul soon realized it was something else entirely. The skate emerged from the depths and aggressively rammed Paul’s boat repeatedly before making a final strike that punctured the boat’s hull.

The lifeboat technician described feeling vulnerable on his small boat as the skate approached from below, visible on his sonar scanner. After the skate’s final attack, Paul hurried back to shore while being mindful of not further damaging the boat. Despite the tense situation, Paul managed to reach safety and discovered a tooth embedded in his boat, which bore bite marks from the encounter. Upon reviewing the footage, Paul identified the attacker as a critically endangered male flapper skate.

Paul, in collaboration with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), is investigating the reason behind the skate’s unusual behaviour. Initial theories suggest that the skate may have perceived the boat as a threat or a potential source of food. This incident marks the first documented case of a skate attacking a boat, adding a unique chapter to Paul’s adventure off the Shetland coast.

As a journalist, I find Paul Hutchison’s encounter with the endangered skate to be a fascinating story of wildlife interaction. It highlights the importance of understanding and preserving endangered species, even in unexpected circumstances. Paul’s cooperation with UHI shows a commendable effort to unravel the mysteries of marine life and promote conservation efforts. Such encounters remind us of the wonders and surprises that nature has in store for those exploring the great outdoors.