The Basic Methods of Pearl Farming: A Layman's Manual - CTSA

Preparing the pearl oysters for hanging on the farmPreparing the pearl oysters for hanging on thefarmThere are many ways to hold adult pearl oysters including chaplets,lantern baskets, pocket nets and floating or submerged trays(see Figure 11 - different ways of holding pearl oysters-chaplets,lantern baskets, pocket panels). You must decide which methodis best for your location and budget. Chaplets are the easiest andleast expensive method, and can be made from line that is easilyobtainable. The various containers (lantern baskets, pocket panelsor trays) are particularly useful in protecting smaller pearloysters or spat from predators, but are more expensive and musteither be purchased or manufactured using special materials.Figure 10. Oysters hanging from chaplets.Whichever method you choose to use, be sure that you carefullyclean the pearl oysters each time you move them or transfer theminto new containers. Proper spacing of pearl oysters is importantas crowding can lead to stress and disease. Pearl oysters arepowerful filter feeders and will filter a large amount of watereach day to obtain enough algae to keep themselves fed. If toomany adult pearl oysters are crowded together, they may not beable to obtain enough food from the surrounding water to keepthem healthy.Figure 11. A variety ofcontainers are commonly usedto hold adult pearl oysters orlarger spat. Gervis and Sims(1992). The most commonlyused type is a pocket panel thatholds 10 or 20 pearl osyters.Page 29