Ray scallops! Haha, in Mexico, a lot of times that you order scallops, they are actually the meat from the ray wings cut out with a round cookie cutter, hence Ray scallops. They easily fool those who know no better. still palletable though.
I will have to agree with Bear on this. I am pretty sure this is just an old beach fable/wives tale. It may have occurred somewhere, sometime, however, I seriously doubt it has been used with any regularity to cut costs. I don't think that a skate has anywhere near the taste or texture of a scallop regardless of how it is cooked, cut or prepared. I've certainly heard about it tons of times, never once confirmed it.
C-