The Ria Formosa Pearls: A Beautiful Mystery

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The Algarve region in Portugal is well-known in Europe for its rich natural resources and vibrant ecosystem. Said ecosystem has long been studied by prestigious universities and research institutions in the country including the University of Algarve (UALG), the Centre of Marine Sciences in the Algarve (Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve or CCMAR), and the Centre of Marine and Environmental Investigation (CIMAR) of the University of Porto.

Researchers from UALG focus their scientific studies on the local natural environment and man’s impact on it while the CCMAR provides the facilities for on-site research and training for the study. The CIMAR is considered as a key base for international research.

Scientists, researchers and graduate students from these organizations have the unique opportunity to study the ecosystem in the Ria Formosa natural park, one of Algarve’s foremost natural attractions. Among these professionals is Deborah Power, a British professor of Biotechnology at the UALG whose department maintains critical linkages to other international institutions dealing with endocrinology, aquaculture and biotechnology.

Together with Dr. Fred Batista of CCMAR, Deborah Power made a beautiful if mysterious discovery in the Algarve – pearls in oysters. It should be noted that this is a relatively rare occurrence in Europe.

The discovery was almost accidental. A group of researchers with specialties in various fields were studying oyster colonies living along the Algarve coast, said study of which was made to look into the causes of viral attacks that have adversely affected the oyster population in the area.

A bit of history: In the early 1970s, commercially-produced Portuguese oysters were being killed in record numbers by a virus, thus, significantly affecting the lucrative market.

In an effort to replace the native oyster population, Pacific oyster was introduced into the area since these were resistant to this particular virus. Native oysters survived albeit in reduced numbers. Unfortunately, the Pacific oysters were also affected by the viral disease.

Through breeding, a hybrid of the native and Pacific oysters was produced. Studies were made to determine which oysters were able to produce pearls since there was very little difference in appearance between the two types.

Deborah Power told the Algarve Resident, “We discovered four oysters with pearls in them. One pearl was a lot larger (5mm diameter) than the others and led us to consider further studies of this rare phenomenon.”

The honey-pink colored pearls have been sent to Cambridge University in the United Kingdom for further study. Said study involves analyzing the pearls’ molecular structure, among other aspects.

Deborah Power hopes that the pearls’ molecular structure will provide clues about these beautiful pearls. She said, “It would be interesting to know why the pearls formed as we don’t know whether it is the result of a foreign substance invading the oyster’s shell or due to certain changes in the environmental conditions where they were growing,”

The knowledge gained from the pearls’ study is critical in many areas and for many stakeholders in the Algarve region. It can have an environmental impact especially in the delicate ecosystem of the coastal areas. It can affect the fishing industry in the country. It can also provide medical science with valuable information on disease resistance in relation to an organism’s reactions to changes in the environment.

As Deborah Power puts it, “These biomaterials are carbon-based like us humans. The knowledge we gain can be developed into endless uses for medicine or technology.”

China dominates the commercial pearl industry with 96% of worldwide production. It should be noted that very few natural pearls are of gem quality while the so-called cultured pearls are produced according to standards. The find in the Algarve is unlikely to lead to growing of said pearls for commercial purposes. Still, these pearls are beautiful in their own right and may well be the next big thing in precious gemstones.

The study of these beautiful Algarve pearls takes on another level of importance in terms of the Portuguese pearl industry. In 2009 alone, approximately 800 tonnes of pearls were produced in the country. The results of the study will have an impact on how well the industry performs in the years to come.


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Published in: Portuguese Life