King scallop, Great scallop
Scallops are easily recognised by their fan-shaped shells, which can grow up to 15cm across. The upper shell is typically reddish-brown, while the lower shell is lighter in colour. Inside, the prized white adductor muscle is accompanied by a bright orange roe. Scallops have a sweet, delicate flavour and a tender texture that makes them one of the UK’s most sought-after shellfish.
Scallops are found on sandy, gravelly, and shelly seabeds around the Cornish coast and throughout the northeast Atlantic. They live on the seabed but are capable of swimming short distances by rapidly opening and closing their shells. Cornwall supports an important scallop fishery, with catches landed at ports across the county.
Sustainability Rating
Status: Scallop stocks around Cornwall are generally healthy, although sustainability depends heavily on the fishing method used and local management measures.
Best Choice: Hand-dived scallops from Cornish waters remain one of the most sustainable options, offering exceptional quality with minimal environmental impact. Innovative low-impact methods are also emerging, including the LED-assisted pot-caught scallops supplied by Disco Scallops, which avoid seabed disturbance while delivering premium-quality shellfish.
Culinary Uses
Scallops are prized for their sweet, delicate flavour and tender texture.
Often pan-seared and served with simple accompaniments to showcase their natural taste.
Popular in seafood starters, risottos, pasta dishes, and fine dining menus.
The roe can also be eaten and adds a richer flavour to dishes.
Best Fishing Practices
Hand-diving is considered one of the most selective methods for harvesting scallops, allowing fishers to individually select mature shellfish.
Minimum landing sizes and local conservation measures also support long-term stock health.
Cornwall is also home to innovative businesses such as Disco Scallops, who work with fishermen using specially adapted pots fitted with underwater LED lights.
Scallops are naturally attracted to the light and enter the pots, creating a low-impact harvesting method that avoids contact with the seabed while producing high-quality shellfish.
Seasonality
Available year-round, though quality is often considered best during autumn and winter months.
Supporting Local, Sustainable Seafood
Choosing responsibly sourced Cornish scallops supports some of the UK’s most sustainable seafood initiatives. Low-impact fishing methods help protect marine habitats while supporting coastal communities and local fishing businesses.
The continued development of responsible fishing practices is helping to shape the future of the industry, proving that premium-quality shellfish can be sourced with minimal environmental impact. By supporting these efforts, consumers contribute to a more sustainable future for Cornish seafood.
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