A critical review of progress and problems of pearl culture in India

A major breakthrough was achieved when techniques for the production of cultured pearls in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata were successfully developed for the first time in 1973 at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Since then progress has been made in several biological and technical areas of pearl culture. Training programmes have been conducted to extend the know-how to the maritime States and Union Territories. The paper recapitulates the recent achievements in pearl culture in India and identifies the areas which require a major thrust to strengthen the technological base. It also outlines the immediate prospects for the development of a pearl culture industry in the country