We’re super lucky. From our little office down in Poole, Dorset we can just about see a glimpse of the best cockle-beds in the world.
Poole Harbour is home to some wonderful shellfish. We have cockles, clams, mussels, whelks, periwinkles, razor clams and native and Pacific oysters.
And ff the tides are right. we can nip down to the harbour in our lunch break, grab a handful of clams and muster up the best spaghetti alle vongole. Yes, we know we’re lucky.
Poole shellfish
Poole Harbour was also the first clam & cockle fishery in the world to simultaneously be named as a MSC certified sustainable fishery and certified under the Seafish Responsible Fishing scheme.
The good news is, Poole shellfish can now be found in most parts of the country. Of course, I’m going to say shellfish from Poole is the best – but being an island we are surrounded by shellfish. Go into any decent fishmonger and you’ll find shellfish – often locally caught.
If you’re feeling adventurous you can go and harvest your own – however, show a bit of sense.
Check the tides, check if the beds are dangerous and check water quality. Also, make sure to observe local rules and regulations. And don’t get greedy – never take more than you need. A handful is often enough.
