Scilly may well soon be replacing cream teas and pasties with sashimi and futo maki.
The struggling south west fishing industry as a whole could be thrown a line with the development of a new shellfish delicacy- and Scilly could be at the centre of it.
Marine scientists have discovered what they think is the perfect water and breeding grounds for the abalone. This might not be a familiar dish to you and me but in the US and around the Pacific it is a delicacy. It is used for appetizers and canap’s.
Dr Eirene Williams who has revealed the findings have been studying the water around the islands and have decided that it has the best breeding grounds for the abalone in the UK.
Dr Williams has been looking at possible test stations and breeding grounds at both St Mary’s and St Martin’s delighted with developments.
“Given the go-ahead by English Nature we could have an abalone farm in operation there in reasonably quick time and then it will be up to the industry to market it both in the UK and the Continent,” she said.
Dr Williams foresaw “no problems” in selling abalone to European outlets, particularly France, where a sizeable portion of the South West’s lobster market is already disposed.
“This new fishing delicacy could prove a boon for the market and provide a ready diversion for an industry facing deep troubles,” said Dr Williams.
She also discovered that the fish could be bred in Penzance and Padstow.
“But as far as I know the Isles of Scilly testing ground has proved to be the most successful - probably due to the temperature and clarity of the water,” said Dr Williams Picture: Scilly Webcam