Wild pearl oysters are collected by divers in waters off the WA coast between Cape Leveque and Exmouth. They are seeded on the fishing grounds, allowed to recover for several months, then carefully transported to farms where the pearls are grown out. Pearl oyster fishing has a lively history of boom and bust through the vagaries of weather, biology, fashion and technology. Oyster beds were heavily exploited in the late 19th century for motherofpearl shell, used mainly for buttons and inlay work, and naturally occurring pearls were an occasional bonus.

Address: P O Box 55, Mount Hawthorn WA 6916
Telephone: (08) 9340 5056
Fax: (08) 9340 5100
Website: http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/cf/Pearling/