in some refreshing cocktails and
water in Pungu Island is considered
oyster can produce a different type
canapés – the menu included some
to be warm for the oysters to grow
of pearl, from a Grade A (the highest
pearl oyster ceviche satay – for the
and the location of the island is
quality) to an oval-shaped pearl,
afternoon cocktail party.
perfect for the oysters to live as the
baroque or keshi, or even none.
“We receive oysters from our
current from Pacific Ocean brings
farm in Bali,” stated Nathan Jambu,
nutrients to the water and food like
comes to discovering what type
the Project Manager. In Bali, the
plankton for the oysters. “There are
of pearl the oyster has, which you
Pinctada maxima oysters – which
some predators like sea turtles and
can experience at the harvesting
produce high-quality South Sea
parrotfish, but overall, our oysters
demonstration that takes place at the
Pearls – go through a seeding
are safe here,” added Nathan.
back deck of the showroom. During
process where a delicate surgery is
It takes four years for an oyster to
It is always a surprise when it
the demonstration, tourists can see
done to initiate the natural process
produce a pearl, and within that four
firsthand how the professionals
of developing a pearl pouch with
years, an oyster is touched 600 times
harvest a pearl and seed an oyster.
the help of a nuclei. “Then, we have
to keep them healthy. But the unique
“If the oyster produces a high-quality
them sent here where there’s enough
thing about harvesting a pearl is that
pearl, we will seed it for the second
food in these waters and hang them
we will never know what kind of
time and put it back in the water.
on the line for them to grow.” The
pearl the oyster will produce. Each
We’ll wait for another two or three
FIRST & SECOND PAGE AND THIRD PAGE BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTOS BY JAYESH MADHOO PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ATLAS PEARLS, ALL OTHERS BY RISTY NURRAISA
Witness a seeding and harvesting demostration.
56
BALI&BEYOND AUGUST 2017