| | Because of the quota system and corresponding supply, the high prices paid for these difficult-to-produce pearls are maintained. Most Australian pearls were sold to Japan and marketed as South Sea pearls, but sales are now also being made directly to the US, Hong Kong and Europe. Silver-white pearls are preferred by the Japanese, as they are considered most flattering to Asian skin tones, but rose, blue and golden pearls are popular in other markets. Fishery Snapshot - The WA pearl culture industry is Australia's most valuable fishery after the WA rock lobster fishery.
- Oyster beds off the WA coast provide the wild shell which produces the silver white South Sea Pearl, highly prized for its size and quality.
- Production of cultured pearls was established by the Japanese and although the industry is now dominated by Australian interests, Japan remains a major buyer of the pearls produced. Other major buyers include the USA, Hong Kong and Europe.
For an overview of the management, current and historical catch details for these fisheries please see the State of the Fisheries Report . | |
