Socio-economic and environmental contexts

In terms of research and development, relatively little information and results, apart from those available in the public domain, are known about Pinctada pearl oysters, in a highly competitive sector shared mainly between Japan, Australia, Burma and the Philippines.

Today, only a few major pearl farming companies have their own research teams, where results remain confidential. This is the case, for example, of the Japanese companies Amami south sea & mabe pearl, Mikimoto, Tasaki, Australian companies such as Paspaley, and the Franco-Philippine Jewelmer. Research efforts focus mainly on the Pinctada maxima species, with market demand oriented towards large pearls. Genetic selection to determine pearl color (gold and silver) and improved cultivation practices, including control of rearing cycles, are the main areas of research.

In the...