Roger Beattie discovered unique pearls formed inside paua shells while flying out of the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, in the early 1990s. Recognizing their potential for jewelry, he began farming paua and commercially selling blue pearls a decade later. New Zealand’s paua pearl industry remains small, with farmers producing only thousands of pearls annually. The pearls come in shades of blue, turquoise, purple, and green but face environmental challenges due to rising ocean temperatures.
Paua, particularly the Blackfoot species, is delicate and requires specific growing conditions, thriving in cold waters. The farming process is labor-intensive; each paua must be carefully handled to avoid mortality. Unfortunately, increasing sea temperatures and heat waves threaten both the survival of paua and their habitat. Research indicates ocean heat waves harm abalone populations globally, including significant die-offs in regions like California.
Experts warn that while New Zealand’s paua population remains healthy, it requires careful management to ensure sustainability. Beattie remains committed to farming paua while prioritizing their health and the environment to preserve this unique resource.
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