Guernsey delicacy....

This is a photo of the inside and outside of a Guernsey delicacy called the Ormer. They are beautiful mother of pearl surface inside. I don't like the taste of them but my hubby loves them!! Here is a bit of info about them..........
The Ormer (Haliotis tuberculata - a mollusc of the abalone family) is a much prized delicacy in Guernsey. So highly prized in fact that their population has declined rapidly since the 19th century when 20,000 could be gathered in a day. Gathering ormers is now strictly controlled by law. and can only occur on an ormering tide between 1 January and the 30 April each year. Only ormers larger than 80mm (3.15 inches) may be taken, and gatherers are not allowed to wear wet suits or even put their heads under water. The punishment is up to six months in prison, or a fine of £5000. The rules led to the first underwater arrest in Britain when a diver was arrested for illegal ormer gathering by a police officer in scuba gear. The ormer is soaked in fresh water, removed from it's shell, cleaned, and beaten with a steak hammer. It is then dusted with flour ,and fried. They can be eaten in a casserole, and when stocks were plentiful they were also pickled. Ormer shells make attractive keepsakes as the inside of the shell is covered in mother of pearl.