Knowledge of the three-dimensional movement patterns of elasmobranchs is vital to understand their ecological roles and exposure to anthropogenic pressures. To date, comparative studies among species at global scales have mostly focused on horizontal movements. Our study addresses the knowledge gap of vertical movements by compiling the first global synthesis of vertical habitat use by elasmobranchs from data obtained by deployment of 989 biotelemetry tags on 38 elasmobranch species. Elasmobranchs displayed high intra- and interspecific variability in vertical movement patterns. Substantial vertical overlap was observed for many epipelagic elasmobranchs, indicating an increased likelihood to display spatial overlap, biologically interact, and share similar risk to anthropogenic threats that vary on a vertical gradient. We highlight the critical next steps toward incorporating vertical movement into global management and monitoring strategies for elasmobranchs, emphasizing the need to address geographic and taxonomic biases in deployments and to concurrently consider both horizontal and vertical movements.

McCully, S. R., Scott, F., and Ellis, J. R. 2012. Lengths at maturity and conversion factors for skates (Rajidae) around the British Isles, with an analysis of data in the literature. –ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1812–1822. Biological data on skates (Rajidae) from around the British Isles were collected between 1992 and 2010. The relationship between total length and weight for nine species (Amblyraja radiata, Dipturus batis-complex, Leucoraja fullonica, L. naevus, Raja brachyura, R. clavata, R. microocellata, R. montagui, and R. undulata) are provided for each sex and ICES ecoregion (when significantly different). Conversion factors for disc width to total length are provided. The lengths at first maturity and of the largest immature skates are reported for each sex, and the lengths at 50% maturity are estimated. Spatial differences in the length at maturity of R. clavata (females only) and L. naevus (both sexes) were observed. The lengths at maturity are discussed in relation to the results of earlier studies, and methodological differences are considered to have influenced reputed decreases in the length at maturity. A more standardized approach to collecting and reporting maturity information is required if potential spatial differences and temporal changes are to be investigated.