Broome pearls named sixth Western Australian icon

30/6/04
The Broome pearl - among the finest in the world - has been named as the sixth Western Australian icon as part of the 175th Anniversary celebrations.
The latest listing follows the naming of the Swan River, Fremantle Harbour, Kings Park, Albany Anzac Dawn Service and Rottnest Island as WA Heritage Icons.
Premier Geoff Gallop said the listing recognised the pearling industry's important historical, social and economic significance to Broome and the wider State.
"Broome's development and history is heavily tied to the growth of the pearling industry - an industry which now produces some of the finest pearls in the world," Dr Gallop said.
"Broome pearls are internationally recognised for their beauty, size and natural qualities.
"As a result, the Broome pearl industry makes a strong contribution to the State economy - exporting pearls worth $200million every year and directly employing 1,000 people in the region.
"There are also significant flow on effects for the region - with value adding developing a range of secondary industries and employment opportunities."
Dr Gallop said the pearling industry's fascinating history could be tracked back to the 1880's, when pearling really began to prosper in Western Australia.
"It was with this growth that the pearling industry attracted people from around the world and saw Broome start to develop as a significant port for the industry," he said.
"As such, Broome also quickly become notable as a multicultural community - in particular drawing in Japanese workers as pearl divers."
By 1910, Broome became the world's biggest pearling centre, with estimates of more than 3,500 people working in the pearling industry.
"However, the pearling industry was not then based on pearls, but rather on the collection of valuable oyster shells," Dr Gallop said.
Known as 'Mother of Pearl' shells, they were in high world demand, specifically for jewellery and buttons.
The collection of the shells could be very dangerous - with pearlers facing unpredictable sea and weather conditions. From the early 1900's through to the mid 1930's, cyclones struck pearling fleets at sea, claiming the lives of 300 men and destroying 100 boats.
Dr Gallop said the pearling industry overcame many other hurdles during its development.
"In particular, the industry faced a major test with the introduction of plastics for buttons and other items, which drove down shell prices during the 1920's and 1930's," he said.
"Similarly, the Second World War had a devastating impact, with the pearling industry grinding to a halt, due to insufficient labour."
However, over a period of time the pearling industry did recover - in part through utilising new technologies to grow beautiful pearls within the oysters found off 80-mile beach.
Australian South Sea Pearls, as they are now known, make up around 70 per cent of the world's quality pearls.
Premier's office: - 9222 9475