[julianner]

I'm reading with interest the latest edition of Pearl World. On page 13 there is a photo of some "Large (over 15mm) Tahitian(s)..." with the comment that they are from "Marutea-Sud where the oysters grow at generally double the rate [as] in other French Polynesia locales..."

I was prompted by this to consult the journal of my trip to the Tuamotus in 2006, where I noted seeing a magazine showing a map of the Tuamotus, and the extent of anemone infestation in the archipelago. I noted that in the vicinity of Moruroa (and nearby Fangataufa), the anemone problem was at its least, but becomes an increasing problem the further away from those atolls one goes. It indicated to me a possible correlation between the former nuclear testing sites and the incidence of the anemone.

I'm wondering whether anyone has done a study of any relationship between the fast-growing oysters of Marutea-Sud and their proximity to possibly still radioactive waters, or, rather, water that continues to pick up radioactivity from the depths where the underground charges were made. Have the oysters been tested for radioactivity? Is there some known reason why they grow faster there than in other Tuamotu locations?

[barbie biggs]

Hi Julianner:
Sorry I missed this post when it originally came around. Are you saying people are diving in these waters? I work with people from this part of the world who just live near the atolls and moved to our area and they have all kinds of cancers from being nearby even today.

Has anybody verified that the pearls actually grow faster? I'm not sure I'd be surprised.

And would you actually want to own one? I'm pretty sure I'd want it rad-tested before I brought it in the house. And I'm serious about that.

This would be a good time for Jeremy to chime in if he feels it a good idea.

barbie

[smetzler]

A report on Bikini Atoll coral growth. Not sure how this may relate.

[Josh]

The studies I have read that have been published by our local "Service de la Perliculture" did not say that the growth was double there at all. It's been a few years but I'm pretty sure I remember the high island of Raiatea being at the top of the charts. What those cooler southern waters do bring to the oysters though is more longevity so more consecutive grafts can be had from the same oysters. I did some spearfishing down there a couple of years ago and found two wild oysters that were shockingly big. No-way-impossible kind of big and still happily growing. Amazing and I think nothing to do with the radioactivity but likely all to do with the cooler water.

[julianner]

This is a VERY interesting topic (even it it was ME who started it!)

I can't look at that Pearl World article again just at the moment, because I'm offsite in ... er ... Tahiti

Thanks for the reference to the Bikini Atoll article. Obviously a lot more work needs to be done. I think there were a few assumptions, or incomplete inferences in that article, but that may have been due to editing. It would be good to see more on that. I'm thinking especially about the problem with Australia's Great Barrier Reef, regeneration etc etc, but getting off topic now re pearls.

When I've finished sunning myself here and am back home in cold, wet Melbourne, I'll reread that article in PW, as well as your posts, and do a bit more research.

I knew I wanted to be a marine biologist...

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by Josh

The studies I have read that have been published by our local "Service de la Perliculture" did not say that the growth was double there at all. It's been a few years but I'm pretty sure I remember the high island of Raiatea being at the top of the charts. What those cooler southern waters do bring to the oysters though is more longevity so more consecutive grafts can be had from the same oysters. I did some spearfishing down there a couple of years ago and found two wild oysters that were shockingly big. No-way-impossible kind of big and still happily growing. Amazing and I think nothing to do with the radioactivity but likely all to do with the cooler water.

Very interesting! Too bad there aren't any spooky mutant oysters -- it would have made a good bedtime story for Slraep!