[Valeria101]

That is: the beauty of the pearl, happiness of the bivalve making it happen, and the karma of the folks involved

Couldn't count the threads 'round here with at least some recoiling remark about the gory details of pearl culture. Questions of whether and how the animals suffer, whether species dwindle, whether the environment is hurt for the sake of pearls. This morning I've had yet another friendly debate with a pearl detractor. Enough is enough!

It might just be my skewed view of things, but in the recent past since I've got the pearl bug posting here, a few things stood out:

- that pear culture depends on environment quality allot and often cannot fight itself environmental damage caused by competing water users (Japanese stories of sea pollution, the demise of Biwa and Kasumiga). Even lax standards become self-defeating faster then elsewhere (China) and even so, pearling is not at the soft end of environmental constraints (e.g. the new 'Thirst comes first' water allocation policies away from aquaculture). All in all, if only humanity was conscientious enough to allow such a sensitive industry be sustainable Thank goodness for those small pacific Islands

- that pearling is a development treat not therat. A crop of gems doesn't seem to suffer the same economic sustainability problems as mining (including for precious items) does. Another good thing.

however,

- it has been stated more then once that the quality of the pearls is strongly related to the state of health of the bivalves producing them. That Australian pearls owe their quality in part to the quality of the environment and the lesser stress on the mollusks in cause. That pearls from the first crop of black pearls are better because they stress the mollusks the least. That cultivation methods that keep the animals in good shape make the most economic sense: say, the use of hybrids to produce intensely colored freshwater pearls in animals that do not reject nuclei rather then forcing pearl production. And so forth.

So far, the sketchy 'big picture' doesn't look any worse than, say, the practice of traditional agriculture. Some ways of food production are way more gory, and with worse impact on the environment and society (think, intensive agriculture and the farm subsidies that go with it). For better or worse, pearls are a 'crop' that moves from low income production regions directly to the top of the human 'food' chain. Perhaps because there is so much less processing involved. And less mystique. Not many things do, unfortunately.

The bad part seems to come from things that pearl makers like even less then anyone else: unsustainable use of environmental resources, demand pressure for low quality goods that stretch the biologic capacity of the shells...

So far, I feel good about pearls. I'm leaving the list open for the good, the bad and the ugly. Keeping an open mind too. After all, I am not writing from authority here as many on this forum involved with the pearl trade could. Just trying to open the case

[GemGeek]

I was astounded to learn there are people who are openly disgusted with pearls and everything associated with their growth - hence we have our own forum. I suppose they also eat meat, so cruelty is in the eye of the beholder. And they surely drive gasoline-powered cars, so the environmental argument is moot as well.

Pearls make their own argument for their existence. Beauty pure and simple.

Right On Sister!!!

[Caitlin]

Well, the meat of at least some of the pinctada species is edible, right?

For the Chinese not to eat something- like the meat from mussels- is really saying something about mussels! I wonder what. Maybe it is the pig feces they feed the mussels?

Mussels in a natural setting actually clean the water they live in of organic debris and algae and other one cell organisms (I think) . They even withstand fairly punishing circumstances that have biologists from the Unios listserve wearing protective suits while in the water studying them.

When mussels die as in Lake Kasumi, for instance, the water would be far too toxic for humans to swim in or drink. Mussels are the canaries in the mine, so to speak. when they die, it means a catastrophe is happening.

Diamonds can be bad karma. Gold can too, but pearls would become a distant 123rd or more, down the list, in terms of human cruelty and barbaric conditions.

[jshepherd]

The meat is very edible. Well, part of the meat is. The adductor muscle is considered a delicacy. It is collected and sold everywhere pearls are farmed commercially.
It is eaten raw, fried, dried, etc.

[Slraep]

Oh my Lord, in Chinatown, is *that* what they are selling in those clear packages piled in bins with the funny writing that says "dedydrated mussel". Fed by pig manure---that's probably the best part of the story. I'm getting gaggy just typing this.

Slraep

[jshepherd]

They are not feeding the saltwater oysters pig manure.

I do not think anyone is actually eating the freshwater mussels!

[Caitlin]

We have two conversations going here.

We are actually talking Pinctadas as having the gourmet adductor muscles and liviing in saltwater where the water is rich in ocean nutrients, not in porcine waste products.

Now I am old and my brain gets feeble, but I am sure I did hear that at least some farmed pearl mussels are fed pig manure. Isn't that why the stench on so many farms? Maybe it is only the farmed pearl mussels. Maybe the dehydrated mussels have another food source.

[Slraep]

Okay, it's only the pinctada adductor muscle that is munchable. The freshwater mussel meat is just tossed, right?

Slraep

[jshepherd]

Or fed to animals... you know, the ones with strong stomachs.

[Josh]

Pig poop eating mussels. Thank you Pearl-Guide, thank you. The things I learn here.

[Raisondetre]

Imagine feeding pig poop fed mussels to pigs ... wouldn't be surprised if that's what they do.

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by Caitlin Williams

Well, the meat of at least some of the pinctada species is edible, right?

I meant to say that it's hypocritical to say perliculture is cruel and polluting, at the same time one eats meat and drives gas-powered vehicles. I myself am guilty of both, but I don't criticize perliculture!

[barbie biggs]

Imagine feeding pig poop fed mussels to pigs ... wouldn't be surprised if that's what they do.

This comment left me laughing really hard. However, feeding ground sheeps bones in cattle feed is part of the 'mad cow' problem we're all now facing. Grazers not being meant to eat the bones of other animals. Also, in the rare cases of humans being cannibalistic, there are diseases which are also transmitted primarily by releasing prions in rendered foods...read long slow cooking, as in organ meats. I truly hope no one feeds mussels back to the pigs, etc. Even though the initial comment was funny, the outcome needs looking after.
barbie
P.S. I can't believe I'm reading this while I'm eating dinner. If my husband wasn't on vacation...

[barbie biggs]

GemGeek:
I forgot to mention, I LOVE PEARL CULTURE!
barbie

[Slraep]

Originally Posted by Caitlin Williams

I am sure I did hear that at least some farmed pearl mussels are fed pig manure. Isn't that why the stench on so many farms? Maybe it is only the farmed pearl mussels. Maybe the dehydrated mussels have another food source.

Hi Caitlin,

Yes you are right, apparently, the recycling of animal wastes through aquaculture is common practice in China and mussel farming is frequently combined with the husbandry of other animals, mainly pigs and ducks. I now remember reading about it in one of the links from the "Pollution in China" thread and Douglas said something about it too.

I just freaked erroneously thinking Jeremy meant they were selling the freshwater mussel meat for human consumption. Hold on, I'm feeling gaggy again.....okay, that's better. There are places in China where the culture of freshwater mussels is now outlawed because of the severe problems it has caused the people living in the area.

Perliculture is very interesting. And as Douglas and Josh have shown us, it can be "green" too. That's not only a great combination, but a must for the future.

Slraep