Progress of research under scheme on pearl culture, 1974-78

Abstract

The lucrative pearl fishery in the Gulf of Mannar could not be conducted after 1961 due to the paucity of oysters in the natural beds. So the only way to have continuous supply of pearls is the production of cultured pearls utilising the available oyster resources. This needs preliminary investigations. Only when the cultured pearl production technology, farming and other allied techniques are perfected, a venture can be made in the direction of commercial production. To perfect the technique of cultured pearl production and farming, the Pearl Culture Scheme of Department of Fisheries, Tamil Nadu Government was started in collaboration with Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Tuticorin. The programme commenced functioning from 8-2-1974.