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Production and Grow-out of the Black-Lip Pearl Oyster, Pinctada margartifera

Document format: pdf

Publisher: Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific

Creation date: March 2003

Black-lip pearl oysters (Pinctada margaritifera) are widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific region, where they have traditionally been used for food, ornaments, jewellery, tools and fish hooks. However, the major benefits of black-lip pearl oysters today come from their use in the culture of "black" pearls. Culture techniques for black pearls were first developed in the Pacific in French Polynesia where the industry grew quickly to create major export earnings estimated at US $200 million in 2000. Cook Islands later developed an industry that is now worth US $5 million. Due to the success of pearl farming in French Polynesia and Cook Islands, other Pacific countries such as Fiji, Tonga, Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands are looking to develop a black pearl industry. Australia has also been attracted to the production of black pearls as a way to increase pearl production that is otherwise restricted through licence limitations that exist for pearls produced from the silver-lip pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima). Recent increases in production of black pearls, particularly in French Polynesia, have caused a decline in prices. Average prices for Tahitian pearls fell from US $77 per gram in 1986 to US $13 per gram in 2000, although prices for the best quality pearls have remained stable. Measures to counter reduced financial returns to growers in French Polynesia include greater emphasis on quality pearl production, and restrictions on the marketing of lower quality product. The industry is also encountering other problems. For example, over-stocking of the major pearl producing atoll in Cook Islands has led to disease. This is now being addressed by limiting the number of oysters that can be stocked in the lagoon. It is now clear that while there are still many places in the Pacific Islands and Australia with the potential to produce black pearls, the size of the market, and local growing conditions, are affecting production. Further increases in production will need to be matched to market demand, and greater emphasis will need to be placed on pearl quality, oyster husbandry and efficiency. In this paper, we briefly outline the methods that are being used in countries like Solomon Islands to collect and grow black-lip pearl oysters to pave the way for development of black pearl farming.

Key Words: NACA • Indo-Pacific • Black Pearl Oyster • Production Research • FAO