Fraser Island Pearls
The Pearl Farm is in Queensland Waters.
In the waters of Hervey Bay on the western side of Fraser Island.
Akoya pearl oysters are grown inside Hervey Bay. Pearl oysters are grown in bags and frames at these locations which provide optimal conditions for pearl production. It is in its pilot stage and has been progressively operational over the last 3 to 4 years. The shell being farmed is the 'Pinctada Fucata' more commonly known as the 'Akoya' Shell
1) Spawning
Currently we have two methods to grow Akoya Oysters:
- Wild Stock
- Hatchery Stock
Hatchery Stock
After spawning in the hatchery, the spat are deployed in small bags to open water
Larva Spats
Wild Stock
Wild Stock
Wild stock is protected in most areas, but is often used as brood stock. When the wild stock spawn, the lava is collected and held in the hatchery.
2) Spats & Mother Shell
The panels holding the spat must be cleaned often to promote healthy animals
Spat
Mother Shell in Panel
3) Conditioning
When the mother shell is a suitable size for seeding, they must be conditioned. This entails being put into suitable nets for a few months to prepare them for a culturing process
Sorting Machine
Oysters in Conditioning Box
4) Seeding Operation
Before seeding, oysters are pegged by operators. Oysters are then installed with a nuclei with a piece of mantle tissue from a donor oyster
Seeding
Seeding Operation
5) Recovering
After the seeding operation, oysters are taken to recovery nets/box.
Seeded oysters in recovery box
Nets
6) Deploying
About one month later (depends on seasons and oysters conditions) oysters are deployed to open water with panel nets on floating long line system.
Floating long line system
After deploying seeded oysters, farmers must continually clean the panels to control the oysters condition by cleaning.
Cleaning
Quality Ayoka Pearls