European demand for the triangle-shaped wings of skate fish has created a prosperous skate wing industry here: Groundfish vessels offload skate wings, which are processed at local fish plants and shipped fresh or frozen to supermarkets, restaurants and institutions in France and other countries.
The wings have the taste and texture of scallops and are sometimes poached in a sauce made of butter and capers.
While Europeans maintain a strong craving for skate wings, managers of local fish processing plants fear the skate wing industry is in danger of collapse.
New fishing regulations, slated to take effect early next year, will reduce skate wing catch limits by about 90 percent — from 20,000 pounds per trip to 1,900 pounds per trip.