Flapper skates are given policy protection under the National Marine Plan.
A critically endangered sea creature was saved by local heroes after it washed up on a beach in Angus.
Dog walker Vicky Whitecross was on Montrose Beach on October 13 when she spotted a Flapper Skate marooned on the shore.
The native Scottish fish, which resembles a stingray, can grow up to 2.8m long and they usually stay at around 100m deep in the ocean.
Flapper skates are given policy protection under the National Marine Plan due to being an endangered species.
The huge beasts can be more than 285cm wide.
Vicky alerted the British Diving and Marine Life Rescue after the fish appeared to be deceased.
Vicky told the Record: “We were walking along the beach and something out of the ordinary caught my eye.
“I went over to look and realised it was a skate.
“I phoned the British Diving and Marine Life Rescue and they agreed to come to help.
“We kept pouring sea water over it because the tide was heading out and getting further away from the shore.”
Experts thought the animal was dead before beginning the autopsy.
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A marine rescue team dragged the animal back to the sea but it was pronounced dead and hauled ashore for an autopsy.
As they began to inspect the sex of the creature they realised it was still alive.
The fish was successfully released into the sea thanks to the efforts of the marine team and locals.
Vicky added: “The marine team arrived quickly and hauled the fish back to the sea.
“They worked hard to release it but it showed no sign of life and brought it back ashore for an autopsy.
“When they were examining the fish it came back to life.
“It was released into the sea and after hours of effort we got a happy ending.”
The BDMLR have been approached for comme