Short-term post-release mortality of skates (family Rajidae) discarded in a western North Atlantic commercial otter trawl fishery

► Skates are discarded at a high rate in Gulf of Maine otter-trawl fisheries. ► Post-capture condition and 72 h post-release mortality was estimated in four species. ► 72 h mortality was low in general. ► Factors influencing injury level and mortality varied by skate species. ► Duration of the tow was the most universal predictor of mortality.