Pearl farmer Atlas South Sea Pearl Ltd says it expects its harvest to increase in 2008
The Western Australia-based company, which specialises in producing white, silver and gold South Sea pearls, harvested 185,600 pearls in 2007, down from 234,200 in 2006.
Atlas said although the quantity of pearls harvested declined in 2007, the average pearl size was larger.
It expects to harvest more than 200,000 pearls in 2008.
The company said pearl quality has been enhanced over the past few years.
"The ongoing genetics research that is being undertaken with James Cook University (in Townsville) is already having a positive impact on the company's farming practices," it said.
"Breeding has commenced with selected oyster families with strong growth traits."
Through its Indonesian subsidiary, PT Cendana Indopearls, Atlas operates pearl farms across the Indonesian archipelago, including Bali, Lombok and West Papua.




