SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Thornback ray (Raja clavata) in a Special Area of Conservation, Loch Creran, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK, December.

Alex Mustard / Thornback Ray (Raja clavata) resting on the sea bed. Gulen, Norway. North East Atlantic Ocean. September

Alex Mustard / Thornback Ray (Raja clavata) resting on the sea bed. Gulen, Norway. North East Atlantic Ocean. September

Philippe Clement / Egg case / mermaids purse of a Thornback ray / skate (Raja clavata) on beach, Normandy, France

Philippe Clement / Egg case / Mermaids purse of a Thornback ray / skate (Raja clavata), Normandy, France

Graham Eaton / Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) eating a Thornback Ray (Raja clavata), Cardigan Bay, Wales, April 2007

Graham Eaton / Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) eating a Thornback Ray (Raja clavata), Cardigan Bay, Wales, April 2007

David Fleetham / Underside of a juvenile thornback ray (Raja clavata), Scotland, UK.

David Fleetham / Juvenile thornback ray (Raja clavata) and unhatched egg casing of the same species. Scotland, UK.

Chris Shields / Illustration of Thornback ray (Raja clavata)

Chris Shields / Illustration of Thornback Ray (Raja Claveta)