Black pearl production to be
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
stepped up in the Marshall Islands
PRODUCTION of pearl
oysters is being stepped
up in the Marshalls fol lowing successful har vests of high-quality pearls.
After more than five years of painstak ing research, Black Pearls of Micronesia (BPOM), is expanding its hatchery and farm in Majuro to move into larger volume commercial production, according to Dale Sarver, president of the company.
They are attempting to follow in the footsteps of companies in French Polyne sia and the Cook Islands. These island countries have managed to turn pearl pro
duction into multi-million dollar indus tries employing hundreds of islanders.
The French Polynesian industry is the most developed in the region, while the Cook Island one still has teething prob lems.
“As well as expanding BPOM’s own nucleus’ farm, we would like to involve Marshallese partners in developing satel lite farms in the surrounding lagoon,”
Sarver said, adding that BPOM is ready to begin this expansion.
A recent “harvest has shown that this lagoon can produce superb pearls,” Sarv er said. (AFP) ■