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| Photo: David Burgin, courtesy DPI&F |
Pearls grown in the waters of Hervey Bay in Queensland are set to enhance the work of some of the world’s leading jewellery designers.
The highly prized Akoya pearl is being grown in the region by Coral Sea Pearls in a 20-hectare aquaculture project, developed in conjunction with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
More than 10 000 pearls are expected to be harvested this year, 40 000 in 2007 and 500 000 when the hatchery is expected to reach full production in 2009.
Coral Sea Pearls owner Dave Williams (pictured) predicts pearls from Queensland could fill a gap in supply caused by the effects of pollution and disease on the Japanese pearl market.
"There is a huge shortfall internationally for this species of pearl and now the word’s out about what we’re doing here in Queensland," Dave said. "It’s a great opportunity for our local industry," he said.
The business venture has been quite a switch for New Zealandborn Dave who previously worked as a commercial fisherman in the Southern Ocean.
He first became interested in pearls after seeing pearl oyster farms in northern New South Wales breeding the Akoya pearl oyster. He went on to develop the Akoya pearl oyster on a 25-hectare farm in Moreton Bay in 2001 and extended the operation to Hervey Bay two years ago.
The oyster which produces the Akoya pearl, Pinctada fucata, is native to Australian waters and to Hervey Bay and the oysters farmed by Coral Sea Pearls are the progeny of those native oysters.
Dave says the exceptional quality of the pearls grown in the region is due to the water quality, temperature and the unusual mix of marine and estuarine waters in the Great Sandy Strait.
"Here in Queensland we’re producing a 10 millimetre gem quality Akoya pearl and that’s quite rare now on the world market," he said.
The Hervey Bay project meets strict environmental standards designed to protect the pristine waters and marine fauna of the Strait which is a mecca for wildlife and home to whales, dolphins, turtles and birds.
The pearl leases are designed to minimise any potential risk to wildlife especially the incidence of entanglement by birds and fish, including migrating whales, the star attraction of the Hervey Bay tourism season.
Dave emphasised the important role played by staff of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Aquaculture Division in setting up the Coral Sea Pearls venture, including the assistance and support he received with business, product and technical development.
"I couldn’t have done it without them," he said.
Dave currently employs two full-time and three part-time employees and is planning to increase staff numbers as the pearl harvest grows.
He says the potential export revenue from the project once it is in full production could be $15-$20 million each year.
Contact: pearls@aquafarmonline.com
Last reviewed 29 January 2007