Akoya Pearl Farm in Australia Shows Promise

Akoya Pearl Farm in Australia Shows Promise

The State Government says a successful pearl production trial in the Mid West could open up a new niche market for Western Australia's struggling pearling industry.

The four year program, funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, was conducted on the Abrolhos Islands.

The trial found the production of Akoya pearls in the Mid West has strong commercial potential.

The Fisheries Minister, Norman Moore, says the Abrolhos produces higher quality pearls than China which is a major producer of low cost Akoya pearls.

"The niche market that we could attract is a market that wants something better than the Chinese are producing," Mr Moore said.

"It seems that they are making smaller pearls of lesser quality than we are able to produce in the Abrolhos Islands."

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