Australian pearling industry

The Australian pearling industry, particularly in the Torres Strait region, began in the 1870s after the discovery of large quantities of pearl shells. This led to the establishment of a pearling industry that attracted many foreign workers but depleted natural marine resources. The industry also utilized Aboriginal women and later Asian divers.12

Cultured pearls, produced by intentionally introducing a foreign object into a mollusk, are now a major part of the industry. While China had early success with blister pearls, Japan perfected the production of whole cultured pearls using mother-of-pearl beads. Northern Australia, with Japanese collaboration, established its first pearl farms in the 1960s, becoming a significant producer of cultured pearls alongside Japan. Prince of Wales Island, for example, exported pearl shell, though demand declined in the 1950s.34