EVALUATING THE NUCLEUS ESTATE MODEL FOR HATCHERY-BASED PEARL FARMS ON REMOTE ATOLLS

The U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands are extremely isolated rural communities, with limited opportunities, and attendant socio-economic ailments. The best opportunity for sustainable economic development is lucrative black pearl farming. This offers great potential, but wild oysters are scarce, and prospective local farmers lack necessary support. Our first commercial farm in Majuro has attracted $2.1 million in American investment. With growout technology in hand, there is vast potential for expansion. We plan to use nucleus estate joint ventures with local farmers to drive this expansion in outer atolls. This project addresses technical, logistical, and sociological challenges with establishing and supporting operations in the remote, rural Pacific. Phase I demonstrated the efficiency of the containerized hatchery as the center for the nucleus estate. Phase II research will determine best strategies for structuring joint ventures to fit the social, cultural and legal framework of rural atoll communities. This can be a model for pearl development throughout the country, and aquaculture development throughout the region. Satellite farms, modeled on a nucleus estate framework, would receive spat from containerized hatchery operations, together with technical management, training, pearl seeding, marketing and supply services. Local partners can provide access to land, lagoon sites, and labor.