Australia’s Quota System For Cultured Pearls

I wish the colored stone industry had similar quota systems to protect natural environment + long term sustainability plan.

(via Arafura Pearls Holdings Ltd (2006) Prospectus/ The Australian Gemmologist, 2007, Vol.23, No.2, April-June 2007) Australian Gemmologist writes:

Unlike the rest of the world, the Australian pearl culturing industry is highly regulated through the use of a government controlled ‘oyster’ quota system. Each producer must hold a pearl license from the relevant state government body. Presently quotas are set for both wild and hatchery bred Pinctada maxima.

This quota system limits the number of shell that can be seeded and can be put into cultivation each licensing year. The sole purpose of this rigidly enforced quota system is to protect naturally occurring stocks of P. maxima, allow their natural regeneration, and so maintain the long term sustainability of the Australian South Sea pearl industry and its markets.

Presently the annual quota of shell for all licensed produces is 1,432,000 shell of specified size (120mm minimum diameter).

Wild oyster quota: 572,000 (WA); 120,000 (NT); Total: 692,000
Hatchery quota: 350,000 (WA); 300,000 (NT); Total: 650,000
Total oyster quota: 922,000 (WA); 420,000 (NT); Total: 1.342,000

The oyster quotas in the Northern Territory and Western Australia are closely held by a small number of producers. The three largest quota holders in Australia are the Paspaley Group, the Kailis Group, and Arafura Pearls who have access to approximately 75% of the available quota either directly or indirectly. The remaining quota is spread amongst several other pearl farmers.

An independent review of the Western Australian Pearling Act 1990 was completed in 2000 within the framework of the National Competition Policy. This review confirmed that the existing regulations and restrictions associated with wild stock oysters were justified. The State and Territory governments are currently completing a five year review of their hatchery policies to determine any update in hatchery quota regulation.

Pearling is Australia’s second largest aquacultural activity by gross value of production. Subject to currency and price movements, the Australian cultured pearl industry produces approximately $A180 - $220 million pearls in wholesale value each year; of which Western Australia contributes approximately 80% and the Northern Territory 20%, Queensland production is minimal. By volume, Australia produces approximately 2.5 – 3 tonnes of South Sea Pearls per annum.