Stimulating investment in pearl farming in ... - World Fish Center

Page 21. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYPearl farming has been demonstrated to be technically feasible in Solomon Islands, and theGovernment is keen to see the development of a commercial pearl farming industry whichprovides rural income and employment, and generates foreign exchange and other benefits atthe national level. The Worldfish Center has been supporting the Government in this regard,through a range of research and development activities of which this study forms a part. Thepresent report reviews experience with the development and management of pearl farmingindustries in other countries, especially Pacific Island countries, in order to derive lessons thatmay guide management of the industry in Solomon Islands.The report concludes that a management framework for the industry should be established atan early stage, to avoid problems that have occurred elsewhere. These problems include pearloyster disease and mass mortalities which have severely curtailed pearl production, andwhich could have been prevented or mitigated by better husbandry practices; and loss ofproduct value through inadequate quality control and the entry of low-grade pearls onto themarket. The management framework needs to address these issues, and ensure that the pearlfarming industry develops in a way that provides maximum economic and communitybenefits, and minimises negative environmental and social impacts.The findings of this report are being used to support the formulation of the proposedmanagement framework, which will initially consist of two primary elements:• a pearl farming policy statement for consideration by Government and which, whenadopted, will provide overall guidance to the management of the industry;• a pearl farming regulation, which lays down specific requirements and restrictions onpearl farm operators, and which can be adopted by the Government either underexisting fishery legislation, or under new legislation currently being prepared.Key proposed policy goals include:• generation of national revenue and foreign exchange through increased exports;• economic diversification;• creation of jobs;• developing new skills for Solomon Islanders; and• providing rural communities with income-earning opportunities.Proposed policy initiatives to be used in achieving these goals include:• consideration of tax concessions for new pearl farming investors for an initial periodof ten years;• issuance of long-term (ten year renewable) licences to approved pearl farmingoperations;• issuance of work permits for foreign workers having skills not available in SolomonIslands, notably senior managers and seeding technicians;• continuation of the existing ban on export of wild-caught pearl shell;• management of the industry to ensure good farm husbandry practices, minimise therisk of pearl shell disease and mortality outbreaks, and mitigate against the transfer ofparasites and pathogens;• environmental regulation of other industries which may have impacts on pearlfarming operations;• regulation of pearl exports to prevent marketing of low-grade or inferior-qualitypearls by small-scale producers who may eventually enter the industry.