Native oysters are highly prized but across their range they are becoming more and more rare. The stocks of native oyster in Falmouth and the Helford estuary are healthy and in Falmouth the Truro River Oyster fishery (whch produces Fal Oysters) is uniquely managed through a bylaw that has effectively frozen the fishery in time by banning the use of motors so that oyster are still collected using traditional sailing and rowing vessels. This makes Fal Oysters highly sustainable as well as a world famous delicacy.
This low impact artisanal fishery is a great example of a the preservation of shellfish stocks through a simple ruling that has also preserved a traditional way of life and created a niche fishery product that has high marketing value. Fal oysters can only be caught under sail and oar.
The fishery is managed by Cornwall IFCA. Landings of native oysters decreased to a very low level in the winter of 2018 /19 but this was reportedly due to traditional continental markets not wanting the oysters. There is real need to improve marketing of the oysters and to create a domestic market for them
Updated December 2020
Truro river and Fal Estuary
Sustainably harvested using lightweight dredges that are towed by traditional sail boats and rowing boats. The unique management of this fishery has resulted in a sustainable harvesting regime that has kept stocks healthy for 150 years.
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Cornwall Good Seafood Guide rates fish on sustainability using a scale of 1 to 5.
1, 2 and 3 are recommended, Fish to avoid are rated 5.
We use the system devised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) so our scores are comparable with the scores produced by MCS for the UK and fisheries from all around the world. For more information on scoring click here.
Native oysters from the Truro river (Fal) oyster fishery are caught using low impact and heavily restricted methods. Lightweight dredges (without teeth) are pulled over the oyster beds and are hauled by hand. They are also farmed on oyster beds or 'lays'. The oyster beds have been fished in this way for centuries and the impact on the seabed is minimal. Oystermen say that dredging actually helps the oysters to grow by reducing sedimentation and removing excessive seaweeds and predators such as spiny starfish.
Cornwall Good Seafood Guide is underpinned by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Good Fish Guide. The first UK consumer guide to sustainable seafood. For more information visit www.fishonline.org
