**Pohnpei Pearls**

**Short Script**

**Narrator**

This is a land of lush vegetation,

friendly people, idyllic bays. And while Pohnpei appears to be paradise,
like any other place, it also has its problems. Depending on the study,
officials estimate unemployment here anywhere from 22 to 70%. Jobs are
scarce and subsistence living is a way of life for many.

**Singeru Singeo-College of Micronesia**

We get people calling in almost everyday, looking for jobs- young
people, able people.

**Narrator**

Singeru Singeo works for the College of Micronesia, the island-nation's
land grant institution. Micronesia has an agreement with the United
States called a "compact of free association". And while the country
presently gets annual US aid, the most recent arrangement stipulates
that Micronesia has 18 years in which to become economically
independent. In response to this, Singeru and others at the College are
exploring new ways to create jobs on the island.

**Singeru Singeo**

If we're able to establish some sort of pearl farms in some of the
islands based on some technology that's been adapted to simple ways of
handling it, then it will be easier for the farms to be established
these many outer islands and for young people to have jobs.

**Narrator**

The black pearl is highly coveted and fetches top prices in
international markets. Pearls also have the advantage of not being
perishable, and transportation costs from remote islands are minimal due
to their diminutive size and weight. With Pohnpei's rich nutrient
waters, the stage was set to develop an aquaculture industry. Or was it?

**Singeru Singeo**

We knew there were some pearl oysters in the islands, but we couldn't
produce enough to have a farm. So that's why we needed a technology to
do this.

**Narrator**

Enter Masahiro Ito. A marine biologist by trade, Masahiro is an
accomplished scientist in pearl aquaculture. But it is his ability to
choose appropriate technologies for a developing nation like Micronesia
that has proved most valuable.

**Masahiro Ito-College of Micronesia**

We don't need no high tech. We just need long lines, ropes and oyster.
And they have natural environment to grow oyster and pearls.

**Narrator**

With limited resources, Masahiro has established a nursery, trained a
local staff, and conducted research with Pohnpei oysters to see which
will produce the optimum color gem. To encourage pearl production,
mature oysters are removed from the nets so that an implant can be
inserted. In response to the implant, the oysters begin to produce
pearls.

The team checks the condition of the oysters and nets monthly, removing
sea growth that is detrimental to the process. It is a labor-intensive
business, one that promises great financial returns and precious jobs
for the people of Micronesia.

**Singeru Singeo**

Last summer, they were able to extract the 10-months-old pearl that

showed that pearls of such quality, roundness and right color could be
produced in this area using the hatchery technology and all the
procedures that he has taught to his boys.

**Narrator**

Today, the crew heads to nearby Parem Island to inspect the oysters
there.

**Singeru Singeo**

When he (Ito) first came here we agreed that his job is to train
Micronesians, to show that the technology can work..

**Masahiro**

Check for any loss or dead shells.

**Singeru Singeo** That was part of the intention-... to make something
very simple so that when people look at it they want to say, "Ah, we can
do this in other places." We focus on those programs that help raise the
level-the quality of life for people whether it's in nutrition, youth,
employment-projects like the pearl help with.

**Announcer**

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of the Pacific, log on to this web site.