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Pearling is unique in that it mixes fishing and aquaculture in one industry, annually generating around $200 million in export income.
The Australian South Sea Pearl, cultured in the pristine northern waters of the Kimberley and Pilbara, is the most valuable pearl in the world, prized because of its size, shape, smooth complexion, superior colour and lustre. Wild pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima) is the world’s largest pearl oyster. There are sixteen companies licensed to harvest wild oyster. Divers hand pick the oyster from the seabed in waters between Cape Leveque and Exmouth.
The wild stock pearl oyster fishery is managed on a system of individual company quotas with a total allowable catch for the fishery overall. Hatchery grown oysters are also used in pearl culture production under a similar quota system. The quota system assists with maintaining value in the market for WA pearls by managing production growth.
An independent report, commissioned by the Pearl Producers Association, on the environmental impact of pearling in WA, found it was an environmentally benign industry and the environmental risks surrounding fishing for pearl oysters and culturing pearls are insignificant. Australian South Sea pearls are exported to Japan, USA, Hong Kong and Europe.
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Abalone
Aquaculture
Crabs
Fin Fish
Lobsters
Patagonian Toothfish
Pearls
Prawns
Pilchards
Scallops
Sharks
Snapper
Swordfish and Tuna
