Under Article 3 of the Fal Fishery Order 2016, Cornwall IFCA is formally consulting on an amendment to the Fal Fishery Order Regulation 2 to increase the native oyster minimum size to 72 mm .

This follows an informal consultation in Autumn 2023, which asked for opinions and information about the impacts of this potential 5mm increase. The results of the informal consultation were shared with members of Cornwall IFCA at its meeting on 18 December 2023. There were a range of views both for and against the proposal. After consideration of the responses, members of the Authority approved the proposal, which now is subject to a formal consultation period of 28 days, from 6 February until 4 March 2024.

Written responses received during the consultation period will be submitted to Defra and they will make the final decision about this proposed change to the Regulations.

The aim of increasing the oyster minimum size is to retain a larger percentage of the smaller oysters within the fishery, allowing them to grow on and support the Fal Fishery’s long term future by increasing the overall breeding stock. In time, this is anticipated to increase the amount of larger oysters available at a marketable size.

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