Women from Vatulele harvesting spat collectors. Photo: J HUNTER PEARLS FIJI
By ROSI DOVIVERATA
J. Hunter Pearls have formed an exclusive partnership with Jorg Gellner and his German-based company Gellner.
An avid fan of Fiji Pearls, Mr Gellner and company will be selling Fiji Pearls and relating the J.Hunter story to their distinguished list of buyers around Europe.
Operating out of Savusavu, J. Hunter Pearls Fiji is owned by Justin Hunter. An expert in aqua-culture, Mr Hunter uses his knowledge toward innovative and carefully-managed pearl farming.
His goal is to make J. Hunter Pearls known as the world’s supplier of Fijian Pearls, beautiful pearls in colours not found anywhere else in the world.
Gellner Launch
Last year Justin and Leanne Hunter, along with Gail Taylor found themselves in snowy Munich for the Gellner launch of their exclusivity of Fiji Pearls.
“We had the privilege of spending several days meeting the pearl buyers from Bavaria who attended the First Annual Fiji Pearl Event and the Munich Jewelry show; INHORGENTA MUNICH,” Mr Hunter said.
Pearl Production
Mr Hunter said pearl production is still limited due to the damage caused by Cyclone Tomas in 2010.
“On the farms we continue to expand having tripled our farm leases and grow out sites.
“We have two new nursery leases, located on the other side of Savusavu Bay, from the Tikina Na Wailevu and two more grow-out leases from the Tikina Na Savusavu, where our current leases exist.
“These additional leases are necessary to house the numerous young oysters on our farms from both wild spat collection and our hatchery.”
Pearls of aqua, dusty pink, cranberry, turquoise, and Fiji gold are among the rarities that make J. Hunter Pearls famous. The special oysters that produce Fiji Pearls are like none other in the world and we are confident that pearl lovers everywhere recognize the beauty as well!
New farming methods
New farming methods based on research carried out over the years have also increased the overall quality of J.Hunter pearls.
Chris O’Keefe and Sachin Deo were instrumental in controlling the density of oysters on collectors coming out of the hatchery.
Mr Hunter recalls that in 2011 the company had several very successful hatchery runs. However, the high density runs resulted in overcrowding with too many oysters on each collector. Cleaning crews had to increase work-loads.
Mr Hunter said overcrowding became a major concern on the farms and can cause outbreaks of mass mortalities.
“We are also working with sand fish (beche-de-mer) scientifically known as Holothuria scabra.
“We have managed one successful run of beche-de-mer through the hatchery and will continue to work with the Fiji Fisheries Department and village communities to find a viable alternative to over fishing this valuable wild species.”
In 2005, J. Hunter Pearls won the Unique Exporter of Year Award presented by then Fiji Trades and Investment Bureau, in the coveted Exporter of the Year category.