PASPALEY Pearls Group, the largest producer of South Sea pearls in the world, was the first to take advantage of the new Tropical Aquaculture Park located on the out skirts of Broome – and is already meeting with success.
The Broome Pearling Industry Coop Hatchery was created so the seven companies in the group could gain necessary technology to produce quality round pearls from oysters that start life in a hatchery.
This will lead to new marketing opportunities and the continued success of Broome’s pearling industry.
Fisheries WA protocols are followed to prevent diseases or pathogens from the hatchery entering the wild.
Oyster spat is grown to two millimetres before it is approved for transfer to ocean nurseries.
Raw and filtered sea water is used and the hatchery’s shed is insulated and maintained at a constant temperature.
Fresh water is accessed from Broome and sea water is pumped in from a jetty 1.4 kilometres away to supply the ten allotments.
Outstanding growth rates have been achieved because of the quality of the water and production has beat predictions, compared to other hatcheries in places such as Cairns.
Other projects planned for the Tropical Aquaculture Park include companies interested in the production of prawns, tropical abalone, freshwater crayfish, barramundi and freshwater shrimp.
Fisheries WA is also considering a research and development facility.
