Pearl Oyster Farming and Pearl Production

Raft culture and rack culture in near shore areas are the two methods commonly adopted for rearing pearl oysters and recently attempts have been made to develop onshore culture methods. Research is directed towards development of a technology for in vitro pearl production using mantle tissue culture of pearl oyster. Pearl production was standardized for production of base images with ten different types of moulds. Technology for production of jewellery from Mabe pearl was also standardized. Selection of a suitable site for pearl oyster farming is very important. Due consideration should be given for the water inflow, primary productivity of the water, siltation and nature of sea bottom to obtain good growth and production of quality pearls. The bryozoans, the molluscs particularly Avicula sp, Crassostrea sp and Modiolus sp seasonally settle in large numbers and affect the culture of juveniles and mother oysters and the production of cultured pearls.