A bright idea takes shape...

Let me take you back to where this all began. Not the accidental discovery of scallops loving disco lights (we’ve covered that already), but the moment the spark of an idea turned into a mission. It was the beginning of a big, bold journey to do things differently, and, honestly, it’s been a wild ride so far.

Disco Scallops started with a pretty audacious vision: to revolutionise scallop fishing and leave dredging where it belongs - in the past. We’re dreaming big here: to see Disco Scallops become a household name, enjoyed by chefs, diners, and shoppers across the UK, all while doing right by our oceans. It’s ambitious, we know. But hey, if you’re going to try and change the world, why not go all in?

The Long Road to Something Great

The early trials with scallop lights were exciting – game-changing, even – but turning an exciting discovery into a commercially viable fishery? That’s a whole different ballgame.

Rob and the team at Fishtek Marine have been working tirelessly to refine the gear. It’s not as simple as popping some lights in a pot and hoping for the best. Every detail matters: the design of the pot, the placement of the lights, and even the colour of the LED. (Turns out scallops prefer blue light – who knew?)

Then there’s the challenge of making sure the pots still work for crabs and lobsters without disturbing their patterns. It’s a delicate balance, and honestly, the amount of research and development that’s gone into this is staggering. But here’s the thing: every tweak, every refinement, every improvement is getting us one step closer to proving that this can work – not just in theory, but in practice, at scale.

Meeting Lee Cash

It’s funny how these things happen. In the autumn of 2023, Rob met Lee Cash at the Blue Earth Summit in Bristol, and from there, things took off.

Lee’s not your average investor. He co-founded Peach Pubs and carved out the gastro pub scene in England – someone who knows food inside out and genuinely cares about where it comes from. When he heard the story of Disco Scallops, he was hooked.

“Meeting Rob and Pete at the summit felt like fate,” Lee told me. “This isn’t just about scallops; it’s about doing the right thing for the planet and for the people involved. It’s about creating something better.”

Lee’s passion for ethical food systems runs deep. Over the years, he’s made it his mission to bring transparency and sustainability into every part of the supply chain of his own pubs and restaurants. Disco Scallops was a natural fit for him – not just because of his love for great food, but because he genuinely believes in making a difference. (The fact he loves a disco is just another bonus).

Doing the Right Thing

For all of us working on this project, Disco Scallops is about more than just fishing. It’s about change. Dredging is outdated and destructive – there’s got to be a better way. The world needs better solutions, and we believe that this is one of them.

But let’s be honest, we can’t do this alone. We need fishermen who are willing to take the pots out and give it a go. We need suppliers who care about sustainability. We need chefs and restaurants who are excited to serve the best scallops around. And we need consumers – people who care about what they’re eating and why it matters.

The journey of Disco Scallops has only just begun, and we know it won’t be easy. But with good people, big dreams, and a shared commitment to doing the right thing, we’re making it happen.

If you’re reading this, you’re part of the story now. So, let’s get to it. Together, we can create something incredible – and maybe even change the world along the way.