The pearl farmers at Civa on the lovely island of Fiji are about to make a pearl harvest but took a few seconds to allow me to share these photos of the baby giant clams which they are also raising with you all.
Baby giant clams now being raised in Fiji
The partnership between Civa (Fiji) Pearls Limited and the Douglas Family of Matagi Island have given their first allotment of giant clams from their hatchery to the Vanua Trust of Laucala.
A project that started in 2016 is now producing around 25,000 giant clams juveniles every three months destined for the export market.
The hatchery is producing four species of clams (Tridacna Maxima, Tridacna Noae, Tridacna Squamosa and Tridacna Derasa).
the baby clams are between 5cm and 8cm
A portion of the production is destined to reef rehabilitation projects and for the development of the resource through the traditional fishing rights owners.
The hatchery is situated in Qamea Island and the coastal communities of Qamea and Naqelelevu will benefit from this long-term project by receiving yearly allotments of clams for their development.
The giant clam hatchery. Double redundant fresh water system to ensure the clams are as happy as..well…clams
Civa (Fiji) Pearls Ltd owner Claude Michel Prevost said they are happy to follow up on their promises to deliver to the local coastal communities their share of this commodity.
“We are happy to see this happening. We think that it is important for companies who benefit from the development of this resource to include the traditional custodians in the development of this resource.
“The development of aquaculture is in its infancy with few players. The Ministry of Fisheries is sending signals that it wants to develop aquaculture and this is great news.
Aren’t they pretty?
Civa (Fiji) Pearls Limited was founded in 2006 by two Canadian expats Claude Michel Prevost and Danielle Belanger.
Lured by the extraordinary colours already in production in Fiji, Claude and Danielle began their own pearl production in 2007 with a subsequent first harvest in 2010.
Most of this production is currently exported to Europe, with a small amount retained and available from partnering resorts here in Fiji.
The pearl farm is situated on the windward side of Taveuni.
Civa pearls – fiji pearls are distinctive
Should we try to stock some?