Pearl culture

Most scientific studies on oyster resources, biology and farming have been carried out in the twentieth century. New approaches to our understanding of the intricate pattern of the oyster behaviour in respect of feeding, reproduction, larval development and disease control have enabled scientists to plan and undertake highly successful oyster farming in recent years. This is not only the situation in advanced countries but has become a distinct possibility in India. Scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute have achieved remarkable success by carrying out extensive investigations relating to the breeding and farming of the edible oyster during the past one decade. In addition to the evaluation of the potentialities of natural resources in several zones of Indian coastal waters, estuaries and backwaters, suitable technologies for oyster farming and hatchery production of oyster seed have been developed by the CMFRI. It would only be a matter of time before commercial farming of the edible oyster takes place in the country