Rare black pearls harvested at Shark Bay

14/10/01
Some of the world's most unique and rare black pearls have been harvested off the coast of Western Australia, signalling the start of an exciting new industry for the State.
Fisheries Minister Kim Chance visited the Cape Inscription Pearl farm near Dirk Hartog Island last week to witness one of the State's first significant harvests of black pearls.
Mr Chance congratulated Cape Inscription Pearls - a WA-owned company owned by the McGowan family and John Pavlinovich - on its dedication to develop a viable and sustainable black pearl industry in this State.
Mr McGowan said the black pearls being harvested in WA boasted an exceptional lustre and beauty not seen anywhere else in the world.
"WA black pearl farmers are producing a product that shimmers with shades of peacock green, aubergine, purple, pink, green, black and silver - a product of such high quality that they do not require bleaching, tinting dying or skinning," he said.
Mr Chance described the pearls as a truly unique product that would capture the attention of jewellery lovers across the globe. He said the distinctive colour was largely the result of WA's clean environment and some genetic differences.
"While cultured black pearls have been produced in small quantities for the retail market over the past year, this harvest is expected to result in thousands of quality pearls appearing in jewellery shops throughout the world," he said.
The black pearls are produced from the Pinctada margaritifera (black-lipped pearl oyster). The oysters are grown from hatchery spat, spawned from a small number of wild Shark Bay broodstock oysters. The spat are grown in panels and after two years the oysters are seeded with a nucleus. It takes 18 months to two years for the oyster to produce a pearl.
"This harvest is an excellent example of the potential of aquaculture in WA," the Minister said.
"While investment decisions that drive growth of aquaculture are outside the department's control, a black pearl industry worth $50 million per year could be attainable within the next decade.
"Much of this development will occur in the regions, which is good news for regional employment opportunities."
Mr Chance said the company had been involved in pearl farming for four years, since discovering the opportunity to grow black pearl oysters on its fish farm lease in Shark Bay.

Media contact: Mike Marren on 9213 6700