Editor’s Note
This article highlights the cultivation of protected pearl oysters in China, underscoring their ecological role as natural water filters and the pristine marine conditions required for their survival.
HAIKOU, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — In the waters of a southern Chinese island, numerous palm-sized pearl oysters are neatly arranged in breeding cages.
These oysters, scientifically known as Pinctada maxima, are mainly found in tropical and subtropical waters. In China, their wild populations are under national second-level protection.
The oysters play a role in filtering organic matter from seawater and have exceptionally high ecological requirements, needing pristine water quality, minimal waves, and an abundance of plankton as food.
Pinctada maxima produces exquisite white pearls, known not only for their satin-like luster but also for their silvery shimmer.
Environmental monitoring has confirmed that the seawater quality and density in the waters of Changjiang Li Autonomous County in Hainan Province are ideal for breeding Pinctada maxima. Furthermore, the region’s relatively isolated nature protects against external environmental fluctuations, while stable water currents further promote oyster growth and pearl formation.
Thanks to Hainan Province’s high-quality marine environment, the mollusks have been successfully bred, producing hundreds of lustrous pearls.
According to the latest official figures, since 2021, more than 500 pearls have been produced in the county, with the largest pearl reaching a diameter of 14 millimeters.
Gu Zhifeng, a professor at Hainan University, has been researching Pinctada maxima for over a decade. He explained that the artificial cultivation of these oysters is a complex process, taking at least three years before they can produce pearls.
Hainan’s pearl market reflects the booming growth of China’s pearl industry. In 2023, sales in the Chinese pearl market reached 35 billion yuan (about 4.88 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 45.83 percent year-on-year. Over the past five years, the market has seen robust growth with an average annual increase of 18.09 percent, according to a report from the China Gems & Jewelry Trade Association.