Biology and culture of pearl oysters and tropical molluscs

Pearl culture is a global multi-million dollar industry involving more than 30 countries, and is a major Aquaculture industry in Australia. While many of us associate pearls with fashionable jewellery-shop windows and glossy magazines, it is an industry which also offers economic opportunity to coastal communities in less developed countries; an industry which involves individuals, families, co-operatives and communities, as well as large multinational companies. Fundamental to industry success is an understanding of the biology and culture requirements of pearl oysters and this provides a basis for research by JCU’s Pearl Oyster Research Group in Australia, east Africa, China and South-East Asia, Mexico and the Pacific Islands.