In India, research on marine pearl culture was started in 1972 and the first cultured marine pearl from Pinctada fucata was rolled out a year later through the earnest efforts of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi (CMFRI) at its Tuticorin Research Centre. Subsequently,improvements of the technology were made by various scientists involved at different centres of CMFRI focussing on different issues of marine pearl culture. Information on different aspects of marine pearl culture such as surveys for stock position, ecology of pearl beds, small scale experimental culture of mother oysters, surgical nucleation and spherical pearl and designer pearl production (‘mabe’) has already been published in various sources including few instances of technology transfers to entrepreneurs/fisher folk. Though, the experimental results were encouraging, anticipated technology transfer did not take place subsequently.

Pinctada fucata, India, seed production, large scale pearl production, marketing, review