Pearling in Broome 2013

By the late 1880’s the pearling industry was establishing in Broome, Australia. Propelled by the bravery of mostly Japanese, Chinese and Torres Strait Islander divers who risked their lives daily in search of the elusive pearl shell, Broome quickly became the biggest pearling centre in the world.

The pearling industry, as it originated, ceased during the Second World War. However, the industry re-emerged in the 1950’s on the back of advancements in artificial pearl cultivation technology. Although cultured pearls remain the basis of the industry today, it is the characters, the cultures, the hardships and the triumphs of the early pearling industry, which are still celebrated today for forging the heart and soul of Broome.