South Sea pearling in Indonesia: past, present and future
Braden Panji Poernomo

Indonesia produced its South Sea Pearls (SSP) in 1928 when Japanese pearling pioneer Dr. Sukeo Fujita successfully
cultured round pearls in South East Sulawesi (Celebes) after 8 years of experimenting with wild
Pinctada maxima. Production peaked in 1936 when it exceeded 18.75 kg. The outbreak of World War II saw
the Dutch Colonial Government take control of the farm and the cessation of pearling activities. Japanese
investors recommenced SSP cultivation in the 1970s. At that time only wild oysters were available for cultivation
and the natural oyster beds were rapidly depleted. By the 1980s, investment in hatchery technology
began. By 1990 the Cogent Trading Company harvested a commercial crop of pearls from hatchery
bred oysters. This initial success led to rapid development of Pinctada maxima hatcheries and pearl farms.
By 1994 there were 87 pearl companies of which 43 had produced commercial crops of pearls. By the mid-
1990s, the industry was almost solely reliant on hatchery technology as a means of sustaining oyster supplies.
Production rapidly escalated and by the end of the decade, Indonesia was fast becoming the largest
volume producer of SSPs in the world. In 1998, this exciting period of development was massively disrupted
by economic and political upheaval. The deterioration in general law and order in the late 1990s and
early into the new century saw pearl farmers suffer at the hands of criminals. This combined with general
economic malaise and a decline in the pearl market led to companies (especially Japanese) ceasing operation
and in 2001 there were only 26 pearl companies that remained viable. The improving political climate
since 2001 has had a stabilising effect on pearl farm investment in Indonesia leading to steady improvements
in production and pearl quality. There are fewer farmers producing larger and better crops. Pearl
markets that were dramatically affected by a number of major world events (terrorism, the outbreak of
SARS and a weak Japanese economy) have been steadily improving. The outlook for pearling in Indonesia
is now once again positive. Current annual production is in excess of 3,500 kg with an estimated value of
more than US$ 60M. Pearling is an ideal activity for Indonesia and other developing nations. It employs a
large unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour force and can have a very positive effect on regional development
in some of the world’s most remote areas. The new style pearl farms that are successful have learnt
to work with nature and local communities to ensure continued viable production and security. Technology
that was once considered secret and only available through contracting foreign experts has been transferred
to the local people. The challenge of the future lies in marrying stable production with developing
markets and ensuring a balance of supply and demand. Indonesia needs to now demonstrate to the world
that it is a mature and conscientious producer of a much valued product.