A FISHING family has unveiled their latest super-size oyster which they think is a contender for a Guinness World Record.

The giant mollusc weighs a hefty 2.2kg, is 31.5cm long and 11.5cm wide and has been farmed by Richard Haward’s Oysters based on Mersea Island.

While this oyster is half a centimetre shorter than the record holder, it is 1.5 cms wider.

Tom Haward, the family firm’s operations manager, said: “That’s the thing with oysters, they grow in funny shapes.

“We need to double check with Guinness exactly that their requirements are - what constitutes the biggest?”

This oyster is the second super-size beast to have ballooned at the farm in recent months.

Last November, the family unveiled an oyster measuring 12cm wide and 29cm long and weighing 1.7 kgs.

Halstead Gazette:

  • Tom Haward with last year's oyster

However Tom said it may well have grown since then to be their new contender for the record.

Tom said: “We need to look at the other beast to see how much that has grown - that might be even bigger than this one.

“This year has been really good for oyster growth.”

Tom explained the nutrients in the water they grow in seem to be especially good and the weather had been relatively mild.

“And it is nature, sometimes you cannot predict it,” he added.

Both oysters are around 20 years old.

And while their fame could keep them farmed for a little longer, it also means their fates are a little more ominous but all in the name of charity.

Tom said: “I would rather they be eaten and enjoyed by someone than just died.

“Even though they are that big it would be nice to auction them off and donate to charity - something close to our hearts.”

The average oyster weighs about 75 grammes.

The world record holder is 32cm long and 10cm wide.

The Haward family has been cultivating oysters in 14 acres of creeks in the river Blackwater since 1732.

The Gazette has contacted Guinness World Records for clarification but had not heard back at the time of going to press.