5 lakh hatchery-produced pearl oyster spats released in Gulf of Mannar 

THOOTHUKUDI

The Thoothukudi unit of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) sea-ranched 5 lakh hatchery-produced pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata, spats of 5 mm size in select areas for restoring the depleted population in the Gulf of Mannar region.

 Following the inaugural function held at Tsunami Nagar community hall, District Collector K. Senthil Raj ventured into the sea to formally inaugurate the sea ranching of the pearl oysters near ‘Tharaipaar’ close to Tsunami Nagar.

 Also, two cages of different size with settled spats were deployed for regular monitoring of sea-ranched pearl oyster spats for its growth at this location.

 Scientist, Shellfish Fisheries Division, CMFRI, M. Kavitha, said Thoothukudi, popularly known as ‘Pearl City’ as it was the capital of pearl production and trade since time immemorial until 1961 when pearl fishing was completely banned by the Department of Fisheries for the protection of dwindling pearl oyster stocks, lost its glory owing to various reasons.

 Thoothukudi Regional Station of CMFRI, due to huge demand for marine pearls, had initiated research work on cultured pearl production and perfected the technology in 1973. The perfect spherical shaped cultured pearls of various colours such as white, light pink, golden yellow, steel grey and other shades were produced through implanting beads in the Indian pearl oyster.

 Local fishers of Thoothukudi district especially women fishers from Sippikulam village were trained by CMFRI Scientists for entrepreneurship development in pearl culture technique through funded research programmes. The hatchery produced spats can be raised as adult and used for pearl culture.

 “ICAR-CMFRI is planning to rejuvenate the pearl oyster stocks in the Gulf of Mannar through its sea ranching programme. In this context, ICAR-Thoothukudi Regional Station of CMFRI has initiated the sea ranching of hatchery produced pearl oyster spats in two different areas to rejuvenate the stock and close monitoring will be carried out to assess its survival and sustainability through dedicated research activities,” said Ms. Kavitha, adding that the pearl oyster spat rich areas should be strictly protected from commercial fishing activity to bring back the pearl oyster population in a steady manner.