THE VERY BEST OF WHAT'S IN SEASON RIGHT NOW
Spring comes with mixed fortunes. The Poole clam and cockle fisheries are closed until the end of May but the closed season for sea bass has come to an end now we're in April and should be arriving imminently. But, earlier than it used to be, because of the warming seas, cuttlefish have started to arrive in March, and the same is true of the (black) bream which will be targeted by the rods-and-lines well into the summer.
Skate are a definite bet right now, scallops are coming in in abundance, and crab can always be relied upon year-round, with some spider crabs starting to put in an appearance. Meanwhile squid, gurnard, whiting and herring are also putting in the occasional showing, even if the herring are not as plump as they are at their best having only recently gone through spawning season.
