Page 26 - Fiji Traveller Issue 10

Pearls and progress

By Donna Hoerder Tapping into the local market
In the early years of harvesting, Civa Fiji Pearls was exporting
For Canadians Danielle and Claude Prevost, what started out to Europe and Japan, with some sales at local resorts. However,
as an adventure through the South Pacific, has seen them put this changed in the early 2020s.
down roots in sunny, fertile Taveuni and create a product that is “The Fijian market is almost limitless. There are almost one
as impactful as it is beautiful. million travellers coming to our shores looking for an authentic
The Prevosts traded careers in advertising and graphic design Fijian gift to buy. The local pearl sales to tourists are a huge
for the pearl trade, building on Claude’s background in marine market and is completely undeveloped. This is our target for the
biology and business management, and skills he picked up in future years. We will increase our local partnerships,” Claude
the Gambier Islands of French Polynesia. said.
“I had studied biology in university and was completely Pacific Harbour-based Adorn Pacific, uses Civa Fiji Pearls in
fascinated by what I was seeing. A seed was planted that day. its creative designs. And now, a partnership with Jack’s of Fiji
We continued our trip in the South Pacific afterwards until we will see new products using the pearls launched across the retail
stumbled on Fiji. We were immediately taken by the charm and chain.
decided to stay a while,” recalled Claude.
They subsequently managed to secure a “16-year relationship Giving back to the community
with the Vanua of Wainikeli Bouma for the long-term management But Civa Fiji Pearls is not just about creating luxury items. In
of the commercial marine protected area surrounding the pearl 2018, a training centre for the Somosomo Women’s Club was
farm.” established giving women of Somosomo Village the opportunity
Civa Fiji Pearls has been in operation since 2007. It is now to produce pearl jewellery and other mother of pearl shell crafts.
Taveuni’s sole pearl farm, after Cyclones Winston and Tomas Initially supported by the University of Sunshine Coast, Civa
ripped through six other operations on the island. Pearls, Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries and the Australian Center for
“The challenges are multiple and mostly environmental. International Agricultural Research, the club is now a cooperative
Between high water temperatures, freshwater floods and called "Na Somosomo Ra Marama Handicraft Cooperative
cyclones, we have been kept busy finding solutions to mitigate Limited."
these variables,” Claude told Fiji Traveller. Cooperative member, Emma Duthie, says the project is so
Situated 40 minutes from Matei Airport, the pearl farm has successful, they are now independent of any donor. This self-
nine full time employees. During each harvest, two additional sufficiency has led to a profitable, all female-led operation, a
staff from Japan join them for grading of pearls. rarity in rural Fiji.

Members of the Na Somosomo Ra Marama Handicraft Center

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