Alive fish in Scotland - why is it so hard to come by?

fando

Hello, 
I was wondering why I am having such a hard time finding alive fish in Scottish fishmonger shops. I don't know if it's any different in Wales, England and Ireland, since my fish buying experience is limited to Scotland (I'm an Italian living in Scotland, it's been 10 years now), but my own experience is such that I've never seen alive fish (shellfish, fish, etc). I've found often good, fresh fish, but never alive.
My experience in Italy and Southern Europe is such that the sight of alive fish still jumping and twitching at fish markets and fishmongers is not a rare sight. I see fish being kept and displayed in shops in seawater (especially true for shellfish - from clams to langoustines). Why is it not as common in Scotland? Is the way fish is stored in shops the reason why it dies?
Or does it have to do with transportation from boats to retailers? I appreciate that, if I were to buy fish directly from a fishermen returning to the harbour, it'd be different, but this is not always possible. 
Many thanks

203846930

Different culture to start with.
Transportation is another big reason, it takes time to get the fish from being landed to the slab at the fishmongers.
Shellfish should be available live if you ask for it but it would need to be a fishmonger rather than a supermarket although I believe Morrisons may accommodate you depending on who supplies your local one.

fando

duncanthedog said:

Different culture to start with.
Transportation is another big reason, it takes time to get the fish from being landed to the slab at the fishmongers.
Shellfish should be available live if you ask for it but it would need to be a fishmonger rather than a supermarket although I believe Morrisons may accommodate you depending on who supplies your local one.

Thanks Duncan. I was expecting the second half of your answer. The first half, about the cultural difference, was somewhere in my head, but I never wanted to give it too much credit because that also means that I will very unlikely find exactly what I'm looking for. That's OK though, at least I have found closure now