Reviving Pearl Farming in Hong Kong Waters

31/03/2020

Pearl farming was once thriving in Hong Kong, but had disappeared since the 1970’s as the city had become a modern metropolis and financial centre. With support from the Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF), pearl farming has returned to the city’s waters.

The three-year Pearl Farming Pilot Programme, funded by the FEF, is an effort to increase the diversity of Hong Kong’s fishery industry. The programme kicked off in 2017 following an application by the Aberdeen Fisherwomen Association. During its initial year, pearl oysters were cultured in Hong Kong waters. After monitoring their survival and growth rate, pearl nucleus was implanted in the pearl oysters using pearl planting techniques during the second year.

30 000 pearl oysters have been cultured in waters of Sum Wan Tsai area of Sai Kung over the past three years.
30 000 pearl oysters have been cultured in waters of Sum Wan Tsai area of Sai Kung over the past three years.

In just three years, a group of fishermen and women farmed around 30 000 pearl oysters in the Sum Wan Tsai area of Sai Kung, of which about 12 000 pearl-planted oysters (sized approximately six to eight centimetres) were ready for cultivation. It is expected that the pearls could be harvested in the first half of 2020.

The size of the cultured pearl oysters grow from 3cm to 6-8cm in length, meeting the harvest objective.
The size of the cultured pearl oysters grow from 3cm to 6-8cm in length, meeting the harvest objective.

Beyond the farming itself, the vision of the programme is to expand into commercial areas, such as turning the raw pearls into jewellery, health and beauty products, and more. In addition, the team will share their knowledge with the wider fishery industry so that they can gain a deeper knowledge of pearl breeding and the relevant technology. This would ultimately create more employment opportunities and chart a course for a bright future in aquaculture.

Workers perform regular cleaning of pearl oysters, as well as monitoring of the survival rate of pearl oysters and the nucleus retention rate.
Workers perform regular cleaning of pearl oysters, as well as monitoring of the survival rate of pearl oysters and the nucleus retention rate.
Comparison of pearl nucleus before seeding (top) and after seeding for 4 months (bottom).
Comparison of pearl nucleus before seeding (top) and after seeding for 4 months (bottom).

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