15 March, 2007

A PIONEERING shellfish product developed in Shetland has been short listed in the finals of the UK Seafood Awards 2007.

Shetland Seafish have been nominated in the best new seafood produce category for its Shetland oak roasted mussels.

The process of making the delicacy involves lightly smoking full-fleshed, locally grown mussels over oak chips.

Alasdair Macpherson, of Shetland Seafish, said: "The unique selling point of Shetland mussels is their high meat content combined with large, clean shells. The mussels are steam cooked and then smoked to produce a lovely succulent flavour."

Johnsons Sustainable Seafoods has also been nominated in the same category for their No Catch, Just Cod product.

The Seafood Awards 2007 are organised by the Seafish Industry Authority and are designed to recognise enterprise, innovation and sustainability across all the facets of the industry

The awards ceremony will be held at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London on 22 March.