A mussel showing off its pearls on Phu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang. (Photo: dulichdaophuquoc.org)Vietnam has more than 3,200km of coastline and 3,000 islands, of which over 150islands are inhabited. The total water surface area that can be developed foraquaculture in the country is about 2.62 million hectares, including asaltwater surface area of 568,424ha and a freshwater surface area of 923,234ha. Vietnam’s main aquaculturalproducts are fish, shrimp, crabs, sentinel crabs, scallops, clams, and mussels.
More than 1.5 million hectares, or nearly 60 percent, of water surfaces areunused. Of that, nearly 453,500ha of saltwater surfaces are suitable forraising mussels for pearls.
As Vietnam is located in the tropical monsoon climate zone, it is warm all yearround. The average annual air temperature in the North (Quang Ninh province) is22.7 degrees Celsius, in the Central region (Da Nang city) is 25.7 degreeCelsius, in the South Central (Binh Dinh province) is 27.1 degree Celsius, inthe South (Phu Quoc Islands in Kien Giang province) is 27.2 degree Celsius.
Speaking about the current situation, challenges and opportunities for Vietnam’spearls last week, Hoi said that with sufficient orientation by the Governmentand the forming of pearl production supply chains, mussels farming could soonbe thriving in Vietnam.
Under Resolution No 36-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018, on the Strategy forSustainable Development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to2045, pearl farming is a part of the marine farming sector.
“Pearl farming is not identified as an economic industry but I think if we movein the right direction, we can help develop it into a real industry,” Hoi said.
The mussel farming in Vietnam has developed a brand name in the world market,targeting specific groups of customers. Vietnam also has domestic demand forpearls.
“Further development of mussel farming will not only satisfy the domesticconsumption demand but also the international market,” Hoi said.
“When we think of it as an industry, it’s necessary to develop value chains andengage the participation and management of the Government,” he said, addingthat State management with mechanisms and policies could help exploit thepotential.
The farming techniques of mussel farmers play an important role in the pearlindustry. Another requirement for further development of mussel farming is thepreservation of mussel farming areas, Hoi said.
Former Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Trainingunder the Ministry of Health Tran Thi Oanh said that pearls grown in differentecological regions, particularly salt water and fresh water ones, would bedifferent in terms of the proportion of ingredients.
To help consumers distinguish between seawater pearls and freshwater pearls, itwas necessary to boost communication and promote Government’s policies to bringauthentic products to consumers, she said.
Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, Director of An Phu Pearl and Jewelry Company said therewere differences between sea pearls and freshwater pearls.
Sea pearls are cultured in mussels living in the southern Pacific Ocean, incountries such as Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Vietnam andFrench Polynesia.
Freshwater pearls are grown in mussels living in ponds, lakes, rivers andstreams. China is currently leading the world in freshwater pearl productiondue to its large river network with favourable conditions for pearl culturedevelopment.
In terms of lustre, the sea is an ideal environment to provide many nutrientsas well as a variety of food sources. As seawater contains many minerals, thepearl has a high lustre and can sparkle.
Thu said that when placed in the sun, sea pearls can give off an iridescentsheen while freshwater pearls are dull and unable to shine.
In terms of shape, sea pearls that undergo strict care, cultivation, and hightechnical requirements are shaped by round pellets, so sea pearls are eitherround, almost round, oval, teardrop, pear-shaped or baroque. Freshwater musselsare usually flat and distorted.
Thu said that a pearl can only receive one nucleus per transplant and undergo amaximum of three transplantations. With a success rate of 30- 40 percent andlong culturing time, sea pearls were rare and costly, just behind naturalpearls.
A freshwater mussel can produce 30 to 80 pellets and can be harvested afteronly one or two years of culture. Freshwater pearls will cost much less thansaltwater pearls./.
VNA
