A Revival of “Half-Pearls”
as a Value-Added Products of the Shells from
the Blacklip Pearl Oyster
Pinctada margaritifera
in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Masahiro Ito
Director of Aquaculture Research and Development
College of Micronesia Land Grant Program
P.O. Box 1179, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM96941
[email protected]
Saipan
Guam
Yap
Kosrae
Chuuk
Pohnpei
Papua New Guinea
Geographic Locations of Pearl Farming Atolls
Pakin Atoll
Pohnpei
Mwoakilloa Atoll
Ahnt Atoll
Pingelap Atoll
Commercial Pearl Farms & Business Development
Nett Point
Pakin Atoll
Mwoakilloa Atoll
Pingelap Atoll
Keipahla Island
Nett Point Hatchery and Farm
Pakin Atoll – 25 miles west
farming site
channel
To Pohnpei
Mwoakilloa – 90 miles east
farming site
air strip
to the village
channel
to Pohnpei
Pingelap – 130 miles southeast
farming site
air strip
channel
village
to Pohnpei
Pearl Farming by Pakin Community Association
Integrated Aquaculture & MPAs Project
Restocked Pearl Oysters in the MPAs (Pakin Atoll)
Selecting Hosts
from hatchery
breeding program
Half-Pearl Seeding Training by
Master Technician
How-to-Harvest
How-to-Process Half-Pearls
Ready for Local Sales
Thank you! Micronesian Blue Pearls