Torres Strait Pearl Shell Fishery

The PZJA is responsible for management of pearl shell collection in the Torres Strait. Farming of pearl shell is managed by the Queensland Government.

The gold-lipped pearl shell (Pinctada maxima) and to a lesser extent the black-lipped pearl shell (Pinctada margaritifera) are the main species targeted in the Torres Strait, although five other species occur.

Condition of the fishery

On the basis of past surveys, the abundance of pearl shell on the main fishing grounds is low, although there has been occasional recruitment to shell stocks in some places.

Management objectives

Objectives adopted for the Torres Strait Pearl Shell Fishery are:

to conserve the stock of pearl shell so as to achieve its optimum utilisation; and
to maximise the opportunities for Traditional Inhabitants of Australia and PNG to participate in the Pearl Shell Fishery.

Management arrangements

In the Torres Strait Pearl Shell Fishery, expansion in licences is limited to Traditional Inhabitants, so as to maximise their opportunities.

Provisions applying to the non-Islander segment of the fishery include a prohibition on the issue of boat and master licences, strict boat replacement polices, and the linking of tender boats with specific primary boats.

Management regulations

Restrictions in the Torres Strait Pearl Shell Fishery are aimed at promoting the taking of pearl shell for farming purposes and in 2002/03 included:

a prohibition on the taking of dead gold-lipped pearl shell, black lipped pearl shell or any other pearl shell species ;
minimum and maximum size limits for gold and black lip pearl shells (not less than 130 millimetres or greater than 230 millimetres length; and greater than 90 millimetres length, respectively), which are aimed at ensuring the most suitable shells are taken for farming and affording some protection to young shells and spawning stocks; and
banning the taking of shell by any method other than diving or collecting by hand.

Page last updated 2 January, 2007