Development of a Land-Based Pearl Farm in Hawaii and Quarantine-Hatchery Spat Production for South Pacific Pearl Farms

9321362 SIMs黑珍珠生蚝的稀缺是制约这一行业扩张的最大因素。许多太平洋环礁泻湖适合珍珠养殖，但就是缺乏牡蛎。夏威夷的黑色珍珠牡蛎亚种(P.Margaritifera galtsoffi)曾经在这些岛屿上很常见，但为了珍珠壳而被严重捕捞。只有剩余的人口留下来了。夏威夷珍珠牡蛎种群的重新建立可能会导致珍珠壳的小型商业渔业。利用当地牡蛎开发商业黑珍珠孵化场是夏威夷发展和实施珍珠养殖的必要的第一步。这项研究将评估陆基和海洋扩展技术的技术和财务可行性，这些技术旨在适应夏威夷和其他南太平洋岛群的条件。此外，建立一个检疫孵化场以生产其他南太平洋岛屿，例如圣诞岛的种群，可能会导致与这些不同的岛群建立合资养殖场。如果成功，该项目将带来具有竞争力的珍珠牡蛎养殖业务，并提高该地区的经济地位。

9321362 SIMS The scarcity of black pearl oysters is the single greatest constraint to expansion of this industry. Many Pacific atoll lagoons are suitable for pearl farming, but simply lack the oysters. The Hawaiian subspecies of black pearl oysters (P.Margaritifera galtsoffi) was once common in the islands, but was heavily overfished for pearl shell. Only remnants of the population remain. Re-establishment of pearl oyster stocks in Hawaii could lead to a small commercial fishery for pearl shell. The development of a commercial black pearl hatchery using the local oysters is the necessary first step in developing and implementing pearl culture in Hawaii. This research will assess the technical and financial feasibility of land-based as well as ocean-based grow-out techniques designed to accommodate conditions found in Hawaii and other S. Pacific Island groups. In addition, the establishment of a quarantine hatchery to produce stock from other S. Pacific Islands, e.g., Christmas Island, could lead to joint venture farms with these various island groups. If successful, this project would lead to a competitive pearl oyster culture operation and enhance the economic status of the region.