Photos’ credit: Fadhili Ruzika (Tanzania)

Review: Fadhili Ruzika and Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website)

Pearl farming is a growing aquaculture activity in Tanzania especially on small- scale projects which could offer opportunities for income generation for coastal communities in Tanzania.

The photos are for black-lip pearl oyster, (Pinctada margaritifera). The spats of the pearl oysters are collected from the wild. These pearl oysters are inserted with buttons inside in order to trap the pearl. This is based on the phenomenon of the formation of pearls inside the shell of certain mollusks as a defense mechanism against a potentially threatening irritant inside the shell.

The other photo is for a farmer showing the way to keep the pearl oyster under water for 9 months, so they don’t get lost. Farmed pearls are on demand for jewelry making. However, the ideal market for Tanzanian pearl continues to be a challenge to the pearl farming in Tanzania.