On Sunday’s episode of BBC’s Countryfile, presenter Hamza Yassin embarked on an extraordinary journey off Scotland’s west coast in search of one of Britain’s rarest marine species—the flapper skate. This ancient fish, which has thrived in UK waters for millions of years, now faces critical endangerment.
Hamza joined forces with expert sea anglers and scientists dedicated to conserving the flapper skate. Their mission took place within a specially designated Marine Protected Area near the Isle of Mull, established to safeguard this elusive deep-sea creature.
To begin, Hamza skillfully caught mackerel to use as bait, aiming to hook three fish per line. A professional angler demonstrated a careful technique of flattening the hook barbs to avoid injuring the skate’s delicate mouth—acknowledging it’s a challenging method but “a risk worth taking.”
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With bait ready, the team patiently set out to catch and tag the skate. Conservationist Dr Jane Dodd, who has worked with local anglers for over 15 years, explained that once caught, the skate would be lifted on a dive lift to be scanned and tagged if it was a new find, then safely released back into the sea.
After more than 20 minutes, they finally reeled in a flapper skate. Hamza, strapped into a harness for the effort, was taken aback by the strength required. “You are joking me. I was not expecting this!” he exclaimed, as he struggled to prevent the rod from moving backwards—a tricky technique known as high-sticking.
Impressed by the crew’s skill and endurance, Hamza expressed deep admiration: “I’m in awe of what these guys do every day. At least I’m doing my bit for science.”
The successful catch was a highlight of the episode, culminating in the skate’s safe return to its ocean home. “This is absolutely incredible,” Hamza said, visibly thrilled by the experience.
Countryfile continues to showcase vital conservation stories and can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.