Most people visiting the North Shields Fish Quay come for the restaurants, the sea air, and the views across the Tyne.
But just behind the scenes, something important is still happening every day.
North Shields remains one of the largest landing ports for prawns and langoustines in the United Kingdom, with fishing vessels bringing in catches from the rich North Sea fishing grounds off the Northumberland coast.
It’s a working heritage that quietly continues — and one that connects the town to kitchens across Europe.
What is a langoustine?
Langoustines (Nephrops norvegicus) are slender shellfish often described as Norway lobsters or Dublin Bay prawns.
They live in burrows deep in the muddy seabed of the North Sea, which makes the waters off the North East coast perfect for catching them.
Although they look like miniature lobsters, many people know them by a more familiar name:
Scampi.
The classic British pub dish is usually made from the tail meat of langoustines.
So if you’ve ever ordered scampi and chips, there’s a good chance the seafood may have started its journey in the waters off North Shields.
A seafood export loved across Europe
While langoustines are caught locally, many are exported abroad, where they’re considered a premium seafood.
Countries such as:
- France
- Spain
- Italy
value whole langoustines highly, often serving them grilled or simply cooked to showcase their sweet flavour.
This international demand means the shellfish landed in North Shields play an important role in the regional fishing economy.
The North Shields Fish Quay: A working fishing port
Fishing has shaped North Shields for centuries.
The Fish Quay remains one of the most recognisable parts of the town — a place where fishing boats, seafood businesses and restaurants exist side by side.
Today the fleet focuses largely on shellfish fishing, bringing in catches such as:
- Langoustines (Norway lobster)
- Prawns
- Crabs
- Lobsters
Many of the boats heading out from the Quay work the North Sea prawn grounds, returning with catches that will soon travel across the UK and Europe.
The North Sea’s hidden shellfish treasure
Langoustines are perfectly suited to the muddy seabed of the North Sea, where they dig burrows that can be several centimetres deep.
Fishing vessels use specially designed trawls that target these burrowed shellfish, making the North East coast one of the most productive langoustine regions in the UK.
Because of this, ports like North Shields have become vital landing places for the catch.
A town connected to the sea
Walk along the Fish Quay early in the morning and you’ll often see crates of pink-orange langoustines fresh from the boats.
It’s a reminder that beyond the cafes and visitors, the Quay is still very much a working port.
For generations, the sea has shaped North Shields — from fishing families and boat builders to smokehouses and seafood restaurants.
And those delicate langoustines landing each morning are part of a story that continues to this day.
Did you know?
- The scientific name for langoustine is Nephrops norvegicus
- They are sometimes called Norway lobster or Dublin Bay prawn
- The UK is one of Europe’s largest producers of langoustines
- Many langoustines caught in the North Sea are exported to France and Spain
- The North Shields Fish Quay remains an important landing point for shellfish in the UK
A quiet North Shields fact
North Shields might be known for its fish and chips, seafood restaurants and coastal views.
But behind it all is something many visitors never realise.
This small North East town is still connected to the wider world through the sea — with langoustines caught just offshore finding their way to plates across Europe.
A quiet reminder that North Shields is not just a place by the sea.
It’s a place shaped by it.
