Pearls from Africa
Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania.
More often than not, aquaculture is on the wrong side of commentary
relating to the environment and conservation. However, collaborative
research in Tanzania by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and
Australia’s James Cook University (JCU), in association with Mafia
Island Marine Park (MIMP),
has shown that not only are some forms of aquaculture compatible with
conservation efforts, but aquaculture may provide an important component
of the
management plan for marine protected areas. Small scale production of
the first cultured pearls from East Africa offers opportunities for
income generation
for coastal communities in Tanzania and may provide an important part of
the management process for sustainable use of coastal ecosystem Fishing
and coconut production are the traditional sources of income on the
island. WWF and MIMP are exploring, with local communities, sustainable
livelihoods that will facilitate
conservation measures and address the high levels of poverty on the
island. Given the physical geography of the island, aquaculture is
probably the
most promising area to develop new income-generating activities. Over
the past four years, MIMP and WWF have jointly undertaken preliminary
research to investigate the feasibility of pearl culture.
As demonstrated in the Pacific, cultured pearl production can provide considerable opportunity for income generation for coastal communities.
Pearl
production may occur on small family-based pearl farms and individuals may enter
the industry at a number of levels to produce oyster
shells (mother-of-pearl), half-pearls or round pearls, or they may simply collect spat from the wild for sale to pearl farms. Furthermore, the pearl industry provides opportunity for the involvement of women and provides the raw materials for local handicraft manufacture, which may include lower grade pearls or pearl shell.
Future
development of pearl culture in Tanzania
The long-term sustainability of this project will depend on reliable sources of
culture stock. Expansion of current spat collection activities and development
of local hatchery production are immediate goals for the project. Ongoing
research will also investigate the potential for round pearl production
within the MIMP and development of local jewellery making skills. Preliminary
research has shown very clearly that high quality half pearls can be produced
within the MIMP. Assuming appropriate demand, pearl jewellery provides a
promising opportunity for income generation for communities within the MIMP and
may play a key role in the management plan for the park. This project provides a
model for similar developments in other parts of Tanzania and the East
African coast.
