Tategami Pearl Cultivation Fishery Cooperative

Greeting

The Tategami Pearl Cultivation Fishery Cooperative was established in 1963. Members involved in the cultivation of cultured pearls established the fishery cooperative, which is located in Tategami Inlet. Tategami is situated in the inner reaches of Ago Bay in the Southern part of Mie Prefecture, the birthplace of the cultured pearl industry.

Since its inception, the cooperative has played a pivotal role in the Akoya pearl cultivation industry and has always been operated with innovation in mind.
The cooperative merged with the Kanzaki Pearl Cultivation Fishery Cooperative on August 1, 2014. Kanzaki is an island in Ago Bay and pearl cultivation is so prevalent there that in the 1950s and 60s it was known as “Jewel Island.”

During this time, it is a battle to overcome the harsh natural environment which can include red tides, typhoons and a lack of underwater oxygen.
But, this is a joint labor of love between the shellfish and those who cultivate them (combined with a measure of praying and believing that the result will be a good harvest of pearls).

However, not all pearls created are a perfect sphere. Some are referred to as baroque, or misshapen, but can emit beautiful colors. And, rest assured, these pearls have been created with devotion.

We are pleased to send our products to the world with both confidence and a sense of responsibility.

By viewing our home page we hope you can enjoy the four seasons of Ago Bay and imagine smelling the scent of fresh sea air.

The Tategami Pearl Cultivation Fishery Cooperative – Bunnai Morishita, Representative Director and Cooperative Head

Cooperative Activities

• We operate Japanese oyster pearl harvesting tenders/private settlements
  (Every year from December 20 through early February)
• Support – we offer information regarding sea conditions to members
• Sales of cultivation equipment – we sell equipment for the cultivation of Japanese oyster pearls
• Product sales – we conduct general sales of jewelry made from Japanese oyster pearls
• Assist with implementation of Japanese Fishery Agency program

Cooperative Details

Established	May 16 1963
Number of Members	126
Business	Purchases / sales / support
Pearl Harvest 2009	320 million yen
Address	2046-14 Ago-cho Tategami, Shima City, Mie Prefecture, Japan 517-0503
TEL・FAX	TEL:0599-45-2731 FAX:0599-45-3709