PEARL OYSTERKatie Shiparski

TAXONOMY OF TYPES CULTURED

Pinctata radiata (Gulf Pearl Oyster) Pinctada margaritifera (Black Lip

Oyster/ Tahitian) Pinctada maxima (Gold Lip oyster) Pinctada maxima (White Lip oyster) Pinctada fucata (Akoya pearl Oyster) Pinctada albino (Shark Bay oyster)

{Most popular commercially

~19 species

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE Retail Multi Billion

dollar commerce While cultured

and natural pearls are considered to be of equal quality, cultured pearls are generally less expensive because they aren't as rare

NACRE How a pearl is constructed: http://youtu.be/qvyUwamNu9A

LIFE CYCLE AND LARVAL STAGES

REPRODUCTION Thermal stimulation induces spawning After weeks of free floating they are moved

into a ‘nursery’ or juvenile net Can reproduce at 6 months but optimal

reproduction is between 2-10 years

GRAFTING A nucleus/grain (usually mother of

pearl) is inserted with a piece of donor mantle tissue into the pearl pocket

Nucleus can be rejected in which case it forms a Keshi (beadless deformed pearl)

Can be grafted multiple times Species Dependent

METHODS Long line

Cages with string of oysters hanging

METHODS Raft Culturing

Generally in bays

METHODS On bottom culturing

Granite/coral sand

HARVESTING Most species of pearls are ready to

harvest after 2-6 years Some only need 18 months (Akoya)

Harvesting done in winter months because luster is at its highest

X-rays used to look at the pearl size

EXTENSIVE AQUALCULTURE

Filtered water supplies most food along with microalgae Adults can filter up to 5 L per hour

Low labor until winter months for harvesting

WATER CHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS IN CULTURE

Temperature between 20 – 25C (77F)

Salinity Prefer higher salinities, but tolerate wide range.

Bottom Hard sediments/gravel are best For best quality, avoid sand and silt

Depth Optimum depth around 15 meters

ADVANTAGES OF PEARL OYSTER Almost 100% of

new pearls come from aquaculture

Almost any size, color, luminosity, shape, etc.

Largely extensive

DISADVANTAGES OF PEARL OYSTER Time consuming at

first. In competition with

imitation pearls. Can be effected by

weather or natural disasters.

More “rare” or expensive pearls have a limited production

SO IF YOU LIKE IT…

….Put a ring on it