as well as getting your Latin up to speed.
After all, there are around 100,000 different
species, and some of the most valuable and
unusual are to be found in far-flung corners
of Asia such as the Philippines, Indonesia
and Papua New Guinea.
The good news is that although Europe
languishes behind in the shell stakes with
a mere 2,500 species, Poppe says that
European varieties are “very diversified
and beautiful”. He says that you’ll find
the most shells on the Atlantic Ocean’s
sandy beaches, especially bivalves (clams/
oysters), while the Mediterranean’s
rocky coasts are often home to many
gastropod (snail) species. “All along the
Mediterranean, one can see thousands of
shells on each parcel of rocky coast,” says
Poppe. “Even in harbours, when the water
is clean, there will be many thousands
of shells clinging to the walls, especially
during low spring tides.”
Deeper into the sea, the Med holds more
gems, such as the giant mussel species
Pinna nobilis, which grows to almost
one metre. “These mussels were used in
ancient times to produce a very expensive
textile and were also eaten,” says Poppe.
“
Today they are protected, despite the fact
that they’re still very common.”
Rare shells like the gastropod
Pleurotomaria quoyanus, found in the
southeastern Caribbean Sea, can fetch up
to US$4,000 (NOK23,000) – though the
chances of finding a shell of value in the
Med are slim. However, head to the right
beach at low tide, and you might just find
your own gem.
For a list of seashells that
are off limits in the Mediterranean see
sosgrandbleu.asso.fr
3.
Aporrhais
pes pelecani
Where to find it:
Eastern Atlantic Ocean
–
from Norway to the
Mediterranean.
Fly to:
Stavanger, Haugesund,
Bergen, Bilbao, Lisbon
Why it’s so special:
A species of sea snail
most commonly found
in mud that lives below
the tidal level, Aporrhais
pes pelecani shells
occasionally wash up
on beaches. They’re
instantly identifiable
because of the three
or four points found on
the expanded outer lip.
It’s said to resemble a
pelican’s webbed foot
and was first named by
Swedish botanist Carl
Linnaeus.
What’s it worth?
NOK12.
4.
Cassidaria
tyrrena
Where to find it:
The western
Mediterranean.
Fly to:
Ibiza, Menorca,
Mallorca/Palma
Why it’s so special:
This
large, conch-like shell
is known for its clean
circular curves. It’s most
commonly found clinging
to lobster pots and fish
traps, and you’ll be lucky
to find one on a beach.
What’s it worth?
NOK75.
3.
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