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Draft water plan released again

Farmers and horticulturalists around Katherine are one step closer in having their water licences sured up.

The water management plan for the Tindal aquifer has been released for public comment again.

You can view the water plan at www.nt.gov.au/kwac

Pearling the north

Alice Plate

Pearls have been an object of beauty for many centuries; a sought-after symbol of wealth and luxury; a marvel found in Northern Territory waters.

One of the biggest producers is Arafura Pearls which runs a farm off the north-east coast of Arnhem land in Elizabeth Bay.

From around the world, plenty of characters have found themselves working here, all of whom live and breathe pearl farming.

Manager Edward Colquhoun says there is an extending process involved with growing out pearls.

"We've got a small hatchery which produces our stock shell, from there it goes into a grow out process where the virgin shell will grow into a pre-determined size before seeding.

"Seeding is the beginning of the pearl growing process and from there it goes into a first operated shell.

"It has an 18 month life-cycle where it is cleaned. Husbandry is provided every two to three weeks. Basically it stays the same for 18 months until it's time to be harvested."

He says there are around 50 staff who work on the farm from cleaners and divers to engineers and cooks.

"Last year we harvested about 40,000, this year was a lower harvest number with about 30,000.

"Next year we're expecting a slightly larger harvest of 50-60,000 with increased quota numbers and larger stocks of virgin shell."

American Carter Hopkins-Cowen has been working on the farm as a mechanic since he sailed into Australia with no food, drink or money to his name.

"I sailed in here on my broken sail boat, unable to go any further. I didn't have a dollar on the boat and I didn't have a visa.

"Immigration had a minor heart attack when I got here but we were able to work it out.

"Basically I've been here on various visas, chiefly working visas since May four years ago."

He says he doesn't mind working the long hours at the pearl farm.

"It's a worthwhile project, the people I work with are pretty reasonable and I'd rather work out here where the air is clean and the food is good then to be working in a ship yard or any place in Darwin."

Oyster cleaning-boat skipper Mark Brody also found himself ship wrecked off the coast of Gove.

"I saw the lights on one night when I was sailing past. I had a bit of a broken rudder, so I sailed in thinking it was a holiday resort.

"I hit their reef coming in and Eddie the farm manager and Brett the pearl skipper came to my rescue."

He describes the work of cleaning oysters as hard, monotonous and boring.

"We've had a lot of people come in and basically they quit on their first day. You've got to like your own company and you've got to be able to think and dream.

"Just looking at the scenery around you or the islands, the weather too, is entertaining especially in the cyclone, monsoon season.

"You're out here and it's pissing down rain, you've got lightening going everywhere. Two metre swells bouncing all over the place, your washing machine is jumping all over the place and your crew members are getting sick."