'Commemorative Oyster Gauges #SavingESTER 2025'

Aim

3D Printed & Bronze 'Oyster Gauges' to commemorate the historical change to the Fal Fishery 'native oyster - minimum landing size' in 2025

To celebrate the huge 101 year win, of the first increase to the 'Minimum Landing Size (MLS)' of 'Cornish Native Oysters' harvested from the Fal Fishery, SINCE 1924!, we are creating a 'Limited Edition (50) Cornish Recycled Gill Net 3D Printed Oyster Gauge' and 'Limited Edition (50) Commemorative Bronze Oyster Gauge', both in the same style as the 1924 original, but with the new internal diameter of 72mm, and probably the words:

Cornish Native Oyster Gauge - 72mm - #SavingESTER 2025

Images are AI generated (apologies, I know there are a few spelling mistakes), the actual gauges may look slightly different, and the wording may change slightly...

Following the success of the #SavingESTER campaigns, as well as massive support from Co-op Foundation, AND YOU THE CROWD, where we collected and presented scientific data on growth and reproduction of native oyster biomasses, we are delighted to share that, on 

18th August 2025, DEFRA signed off our proposal to 'increase the MLS from 67mm to 72mm', the first increase since 1924, yep 101 years!!

The photo above shows four oyster gauges (left to right):

• Truro Corporation's Original c.1924 Bronze Cast Oyster Gauge - 2"5/8ths (66.7mm)
• Cornwall IFCA's 2016 Stainless Oyster & Mussel Gauge - 67mm/50mm
• Cornwall IFCA's 2023 'Voluntary Oyster Gauge' - 72mm
• Cornwall IFCA's 2025 Stainless Oyster & Mussel Gauge - 72mm/50mm

While the 5mm increase may not seem much, CIFCA estimated this to be around 12% of the 'total landings weight' for the fleet, which oyster gatherers are paid by, however, our data proved that 14% of the weight would represent almost 23% of the 'total oysters landed', so a small financial loss for the first season, but leaving almost one in four oysters to grow, and more importantly reproduce, which is exponentially massive for the biomass!

We are now offering you the opportunity to claim a Limited Edition 3D Printed, and/or, one of the first Limited Edition Bronze Castings of this gauge, and support the CIC at the same time! 

The CIC is unfortunately being forced in to a situation I did not expect, which means the CIC needs to clear the aquaculture site, including moorings and all infrastructure, this costs around £5,000 +VAT per day, and we may need 1, 2 or 3 days!

• Partly due to the sewage pollution from Truro, making the aquaculture site no longer fit for purpose
• Partly due to the threat of the dredging of Falmouth Docks, which means storing juveniles for several years is risky, given the toxic sediments will go up the estuary
• Partly due to all those we encouraged and trained, no longer able to volunteer, due to the increased 'costs of living'
• But 'MOSTLY' due to the costs of overheads far outweighing the financial returns, even with the aquaculture biomass reproduction benefits, which will now be supported by the oysters returned due to the MLS increase

• But hey, we achieved what we set out to accomplish, a new MLS for future generations of native oysters!

Why 'Cornish Native Oyster' and not 'Fal Oyster'? As homage to a brand I created back in 2009, which was sadly highjacked by another company, and as the 'Protected Food Name - Fal Oyster' requires the oysters to have been processed (purified) by a verified company, it made more sense (legally compliant too), as the primary use is to check if the oysters are of a legal size before harvesting... but also useful when you're purchasing!

This is probably the last Crowdfunder campaign for the Fal Fishery Cooperative CIC, and I am truly grateful for all your support over the past almost 7 years. We created a hatchery, and an aquaculture site to store and grow juvenile native oysters, which gave us: 

• ALL THE SCIENTIFIC DATA we needed to present the proposal, to INCREASE THE MLS
• AND THE AQUACULTURE SITE LIBERATED SOME 50 BILLION LARVAE into the wild fishery!

I say again, I am truly grateful for all your support over the past almost 7 years, I could not have done it without you, THANK YOU!

So, hopefully you'll recognise the fantastic achievement and lasting legacy, for the Cornish Native Oysters on the Fal Fishery, and I hope you really enjoy using these gauges to CHECK YOUR NATIVE OYSTERS ARE LEGAL, next time you go to buy some! 

REMEMBER: to 'select the reward' if you would like a gauge, just 'donating' doesn't get you a gauge!

(Please note, this project has a 12 week schedule, but may close early depending on demand! We have commissioned two fantastic businesses to make these for us, *work will start as soon as we receive funds (typically 7-10 days from your pledges, and we don't need the project to close before we start), we may be able to produce more in the near future, but limited to 50 of each to start with, and we will have to pay 20% VAT on the reward sales (VAT invoice available on request), which is included in the prices, as is Postage & Packaging)

*With "Keep What You Raise" projects, you don't need to wait for your project to close to receive funds. For Keep What You Raise projects:

• Weekly payouts start once your first pledge clears (after the 7-day clearing period)
• You only need to raise at least £2 and have your project live for 7 days
• Since you selected "draw down when funds are available," you'll receive weekly payouts automatically once eligible

You can start creating your gauges as soon as the funds hit your account - no need to wait for project closure.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made