Shellfish are commonly grouped by the type of shell they have.
The main types of shellfish are molluscs and crustaceans:
Molluscs have no shell, one shell or two shells
Crustaceans have a hard outer ‘shell’ (exoskeleton), and more than four legs. They look like large insects.
Molluscs are divided into three groups.
Cephalopods have no shell. Examples are squid and octopus.
Univalves have one shell. An example is paua.
Bivalves have two shells. Examples are: mussels, clams, oysters, pipis, tuatua and scallops.
Some crustaceans caught in New Zealand include:
rock lobster (crayfish)
paddle crab
scampi.
New Zealand’s waters are too cold for prawns so they are imported but are not harvested here. (The only prawns growing in New Zealand are at Huka Prawn Park.)
Some shellfish have seasons. These are the time(s) of year when the shellfish is either at its best, or when it is legally allowed to be caught.