Black-Lip Pearl Oyster Hatchery Technology

黑唇珍珠牡蛎，珠母贝，是稀有而珍贵的黑色珍珠的来源。这一物种的养殖在法属波利尼西亚被证明是非常有利可图的，世界各地的需求都在增强。夏威夷的亚种--加尔特索菲马加里蒂亚种被列入夏威夷州立濒危物种名录。由于自然招募的限制和过度捕捞珍珠壳的历史，珍珠贝资源稀缺。夏威夷黑珍珠养殖的发展似乎只是受到这种稀缺性的限制。这个亚种达到一个大的最大尺寸，并具有极好的珍珠层颜色，因此应该生产出极好的黑色珍珠。我们计划在夏威夷的科纳开发一个玛加里蒂菲鱼的孵化场。标准的双壳类养殖方法将适用于该物种。我们熟悉其他珍珠牡蛎孵化所使用的方法，并已证实当地有亲贝可用。实验将测试产卵诱导、水质、幼虫处理、藻类配给、首选基质和定居线索的方法。如果成功达成和解，随后的试验将确定商业规模生产的可行性。如果美国想要在这个有利可图的市场上与日本、澳大利亚和其他国家竞争，我们必须获得我们自己的珍珠牡蛎孵化技术。

The black-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, is the source of rare, valuable black pearls. Culture of this species has proven highly lucrative in French Polynesia, with strengthening worldwide demand. The Hawaiian sub-species, P. margaritifera galtsoffi, is on the Hawaii State endangered species list. Stocks are scarce due to both natural recruitment limitations and the history of overfishing for pearl shell. The development of black pearl culture in Hawaii appears limited only by this scarcity. This sub-species attains a large maximum size, and has excellent nacre color, and should therefore produce excellent black pearls. We propose to develop a hatchery for P. margaritifera galtsoffi, in Kona, Hawaii. Standard bivalve culture methods will be adapted to this species. We are familiar with methods used in hatchery culture of other pearl oysters, and have confirmed the availability of local broodstocks. Experiments will test methods of spawning induction, water quality, larval handling, algal rations, preferred substrates and cues for settlement. if successful settlement is achieved, subsequent trials will determine the feasibility of commercial- scale spat production. We must acquire our own pearl oyster hatchery technology if America is to compete with Japan, Australia, and other countries for a stake in this lucrative market.