Research > Ocean & Forest > Pearl Harvesting

The rainbow-lipped Pearl oyster (Pteria sterna) is a bivalve mollusk species from the Pteriidae family. Its distribution range focuses in the shallow waters of the Tropical Pacific, from Baja California to Northern Peru.

Inkaterra Asociación, in alliance with the National Fishing and Aquaculture Innovation Program (PNIPA), AGROMAR, and the Cabo Blanco Artisanal Fishing Association, promotes the harvest of native bivalve mollusk for pearl production and nacre-derived products.

The pearl harvesting program will rely on a 100Ha marine area to conserve marine diversity from illegal fishing. Inkaterra Asociación seeks the conservation of natural resources and organizes training workshops for the Cabo Blanco artisanal fishing community, teaching sustainable methods of pearl harvesting for marine conservation.

This initiative to commercialize pearls and nacre-derived products has a potential for responsible jewelry as well as an ecotourism experience.