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OUR PLANET

SUSTAINABILITY AT CYGNET BAY PEARL FARM

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm places the highest possible value on sustainability and strives to be a leader in both aquaculture and sustainable tourism. Our mission is to inspire a greater connection between people and planet, and we are committed to protecting and enhancing our marine and land ecosystems, championing renewable energy, and actively supporting the Indigenous and local communities of our region. By prioritising sustainability in every aspect of our operations, we aim to empower our staff, visitors and partners to join us in preserving Kimberley’s pristine environment and cultural richness for generations to come.   

A Cygnet Bay boat sits idly next to the iconic Waterfall Reef, spilling water during the low tide of the ocean. The guests on the boat bare witness to this unique natural phenomenon and are in awe of it's cascading waterfall effect. Our Planet.

OUR PEARLS ARE INTRINSICALLY SUSTAINABLE

Pearls are the only rare and precious gem on the planet today born within a living organism – The Oyster.

One of our highest mandates is the education of our audiences towards the many miraculous benefits this incredible creation of the deep can have on both people and planet when grown with the highest possible standards of ethical care.

GUARDIANS OF THE OCEAN

In 2009, we made an industry changing decision to open the doors of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm to the public – to what was previously a very secretive industry. Our aim was to create true transparency around the nature and cultivation of the finest and most sustainable pearls and connect people to the amazing places in which our pearls grow.

Today, we welcome over 10,000 excited visitors a year to our farms, who become completely immersed and positively enriched in the many facets of the Australian pearling story, from it’s ancient beginnings to today’s modern pearl farming techniques.

After spending the past decade watching what was once a thriving Australian industry almost completely disappear one of our greatest privileges has been to help create new opportunities for Australian pearl farmers by engaging in an entirely new way with the next generation of pearl appreciators, as we delve into the many incredible facets of this rare and precious gem.

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An underwater image of stunning marine life swimming through the tides of the sea, and around the florescent coral reefs that they call home.
A pearl technician carefully extracts a lustrous Australian South Sea pearl from it's oyster with his tools.
Guardians of the Ocean

EVERY HECTARE OF OYSTER REEF (PER YEAR) WOULD:

Filter

2.7 billion

litres of seawater.

Remove

225 kg

of nitrogen and phosphate.

Produce

375 kg

of new fish to catch and eat.

Provide new homes for

100+

marine species.

Remove

10,000 kg

of carbon (equivalent to the average emissions of 2 cars).

Studies provided by The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

A beautiful aerial visual of a boat dancing across the waves, travelling past the Archipelago Islands that are scattered along the coastline of the Dampier Peninsula, with turquoise blue waters that are almost crystal clear.
A pearl diver bobs their head up from the water, holding an Australian South Sea oyster.

THE POWER OF POSITIVE PEARLING

Pearling provides multiple services to surrounding ecosystem and communities. This includes employment, education and empowerment for people and extends to the protection of mangroves, seagrass and salt-marsh, the most efficient carbon sequestration substrates (Blue Carbon sinks) on the planet.

The combination and synergies of core and co-benefits of pearling makes it a natural partner to the Blue Economy to support actively its journey towards improving the lives of the communities and areas we work in, creating jobs and opportunities, work hard to harness renewable energies, actively clean up marine litter and pollution that flows through our farm areas and help to conserve marine life and our oceans. The wild pearl shell fishery in Australia is the only responsible and certified gem fishery in the world (certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, MSC).

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Positive Pearling

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SCIENCE OF BLUE CARBON

Science of Blue Carbon Infographic

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

In order to truly grow the worlds most exceptional pearls, we must also ensure that the quality of the pristine waterways in which we grow our pearls within are upheld with the highest possible standards of care. Since 1990, the known surface area of our ocean has increased in temperature by 1 degree Celsius due to early onset climate change – not surprisingly since that time, our fragile pearling industry has seen a dramatic decline in pearl production.

A pearl farm is a marine research centre by nature, and this is enhanced by our ‘Kimberley Marine Research Station’ which facilitates independent research helping to understand the environments in which our pearls grow. Cutting edge research such as our Oyster Breeding programs and partnerships with leading universities including James Cook, Macquarie and the University of WA helps us bridge the gap between the heartaches of the past and the pearl farm prosperities of the future.  

Our passion for pearl provenance and industry wide transparency around the production of pearls has also compelled us to tread new and innovative ground by establishing the worlds first blockchain based provenance proof for pearls. This means that the pearl consumers of the future will have a certified way of knowing, without question, the quality and provenance of a pearl. In this way, our overarching goal of education and empowerment for pearl consumers around the world is becoming one important step closer to reality.  

An underwater image of a mangrove with it's leaves swaying in the tides of the sea.
A Cygnet Bay boat travels to the iconic Waterfall Reef, spilling water during the low tide of the ocean. The guests on the boat bare witness to this unique natural phenomenon and are in awe of it's cascading waterfall effect.
Watch our film

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY & REPORTING

We are committed to world-class sustainability management across all of our operations encompassing pearl farming, hospitality, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Our approach is structured around the following pillars:

A photo of pearling vessels moving along the lines, cleaning the shells within the panels.

Environmental Stewardship

Minimising our footprint, protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and caring for our natural assets.

The Cygnet Bay Pearling shack sits on the beach at Cygnet Bay pearl Farm, with the Cygnet Bay waters a few metres away.

Climate Action

Measuring and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, with verified annual reporting. 

Rosanna Angus sits on a rock, wearing her Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours shirt. She smiles wide, looking at the camera, while in the background is a large expanse of native Australian shrubs and trees.

Community & Culture

Working in partnership with Traditional Owners, supporting local employment, and celebrating Bardi Jawi culture.

An image of an Australian South Sea pearl oyster panel underwater.

Transparency & Traceability

Ensuring our practices are open, independently verified and communicated honestly to guests, partners and regulators. 

A scientist works at Cygnet Bay, on a boat on the sea. On her table is medical and scientific equipment, as she carries out research for the Kimberley Marine Research Station.

Continuous Improvement

We’re always evolving, setting new goals, evaluating progress, and embracing innovation. 

 

OUR COMMITMENT

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm strives to lead by example in both aquaculture and sustainable tourism.

We are committed to: 

Harnessing renewable energy wherever possible,

Cleaning up marine litter in our local waterways,

Supporting Indigenous voices in business and tourism, 

Encouraging responsible travel and ocean conservation, 

Educating the next generation on sustainability and ocean care.

An aerial photo of Cygnet Bay's turquoise waters, the mangroves, and the pearling shed. CBPF Accessibility Guide.
CBPF Solar Panels
Multiple solar panels used to power the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm are part of the property.

SOLAR POWERING THE FUTURE OF REMOTE TOURISM

As a remote, off-grid tourism operator, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm has long understood the challenges of balancing world-class guest experiences with responsible energy use. In 2023, we took a bold step forward with the installation of a state of the art solar hybrid power system, a milestone in our long-term sustainability journey. 

Key Impacts of the Solar Installation: 

75% Renewable Energy Contribution
Our system now delivers approximately 75% of the farm’s total power needs through solar energy, reducing our carbon footprint by an estimated 528 tonnes of CO₂ in the first year alone. 

Over $100,000 in Projected Annual Savings
By reducing diesel usage by over 80,000 litres per year, we’ve significantly cut costs, enhanced energy reliability, and lowered our exposure to volatile fuel pricing. 

Cutting-Edge Hybrid Design
The system includes: 

  • 250kW of solar modules 
  • 500kWh of battery storage 
  • 6 advanced inverters 
  • Diesel generator for backup
    This integrated design provides uninterrupted, grid-quality power around the clock, critical for guest comfort and operational reliability. 

Enhanced Guest Experience
The new power system has transformed our guest experience. With quieter operations and minimal environmental disruption, guests enjoy peaceful stays that connect them more deeply with the natural Kimberley surroundings. 

Autonomous & Scalable
Built with a modular, autonomous design, the system is monitored and maintained by trained staff and is designed to expand as our needs grow, demonstrating a scalable model for other off-grid tourism businesses. 

“The new solar system epitomises our commitment to environmental sustainability and a major step towards our net zero goals, whilst still delivering state of the art power systems to our farm infrastructure, guests, and staff.”
James Brown, Managing Director 

TRANSPARENT REPORTING

We believe that transparency is essential for credibility and continuous improvement. Our 2025 Tourism Emissions Reduction Report, conducted by Carbon Halo, is available to view here: Cygnet Bay Pearls 

This dashboard shows our annual carbon footprint, independently measured by Carbon Halo, so you can see the environmental impact of our operations and our progress on the actions we are taking to reduce it.