Global production of akoya pearls has been experiencing a steady decline for several years. This downturn is mainly due to the crisis in Japan’s pearl industry, which has been hit by oyster overpopulation and diseases that have decimated much of its stocks.

In response to this situation, interest in research and development for akoya pearl production in other countries — particularly China and Australia — has been growing rapidly.

A New Testing Ground in Queensland

Australian pearl farming is currently based mainly on the exploitation of Pinctada maxima, the silver-lipped pearl oyster. However, increasing attention is being directed toward two other species, Pinctada margaritifera and Pinctada fucata, which are found in abundance in Australian waters.

A recent report details the work carried out in northern Queensland to evaluate the feasibility of producing akoya pearls from Pinctada fucata.

Valuable Data on Oyster Growth and Survival

Researchers collected baseline data on oyster growth and survival during the different stages of culture, from the larval stage to the nursery phase. They studied the best culture conditions: water quality, optimal larval density, feeding, type of nursery equipment, and stocking concentrations.

Promising Results for Pinctada fucata

This trial marks the first successful hatchery production of Pinctada fucata in Queensland. The methods used to rear this species were adapted from those already proven for Pinctada margaritifera.

During the first year of the project, more than 48,000 spat aged 3.5 months, with a mean dorsoventral height (DVH) of 12.5 ± 0.4 mm (± standard deviation, n = 50), were produced. Observations indicate that it is preferable to raise the oysters at a depth of 2 meters after their first transfer to the sea.

Once sorted, the oysters should be stocked at 20–30% of the available culture space, either in pyramid nets or in the same nets lined with finer mesh, until they reach a DVH of 50 mm. Beyond this size, they are transferred into “kangaroo pockets” or larger-mesh culture structures, with nets cleaned or replaced every eight weeks. Oysters grown individually, without forming clusters, also achieve larger sizes.

A Bright Future for Australian Pearl Farming

The results obtained are highly encouraging: in just 24 months, some specimens reached a DVH greater than 100 mm with a wet weight of 100 grams. Selective breeding trials are underway based on oyster size, and early observations suggest a promising future for akoya pearl production in Australia.