Responsible Practice
C.I.T.E.S Compliance
The species noted below are not listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (C.I.T.E.S.). International trade in the species noted below, or products derived from them, can take place freely and without restrictions arising from the C.I.T.E.S. Convention.
Paua
- Haliotis iris
Known for its vivid blue, green and purple iridescence, paua offers striking natural colour for inlay and decorative finishes. Found naturally only in New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands.
White Mother Of Pearl
- Pinctada Maxima
A lustrous pearl oyster shell with creamy white and silver tones, sometimes featuring golden highlights. Found in warm Indo-Pacific waters, including northern Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Black Mother Of Pearl
- Pinctada Margaritifera
A pearl oyster shell with smoky silver, charcoal and shifting green or pink reflections. Found across the tropical Indo-Pacific, including French Polynesia, the Cook Islands and Fiji.
Donkey's Ear Abalone
- Haliotis Asinina
An elongated abalone shell with a lustrous interior and delicate rainbow reflections. Found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters, including Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
Korean Abalone
- Haliotis Discus
An abalone shell with a pearly interior and subtle shifting colours, offering a softer iridescent finish. Native to coastal waters around Korea and Japan.
Freshwater Mother Of Pearl
- Margaritifera
Freshwater mussel shell with a soft pearly lustre, typically in white, cream and pale pink tones. Commercial material is commonly sourced from freshwater mussels farmed in China.
Traceability Back to Farm Supplies
Our shell materials can be traced through a transparent paper trail, including supplier invoices, customs clearance records and shipping documents. These records connect the materials we receive with their source, providing greater visibility across the supply chain and giving our customers confidence in the origin of the shell used in their projects.
Compliance with New Zealand Law
Our New Zealand pāua shell is sourced within the requirements of New Zealand law and its strictly enforced Quota Management System. This system regulates commercial harvesting, supporting the responsible management of pāua populations. Working within this framework helps us supply natural shell materials with a clear commitment to lawful and responsible sourcing.
Sustainable Sourcing of Our Shells
Our free divers and shell buyers are citizens of Pacific communities who depend on sustainable relationships with the ocean. They are professionals who respect the origin, growth and delicate nature of our shells. Harvesting practices are in line with their heritage and local laws. Constant communication and regular site visits keep us – and our international partners – informed and accountable. The quality and supply of our overseas products are affected by changes in sustainable management plans, voluntary reductions in harvest quantities, minimum size limits, and restrictions on harvesting areas.
Ocean Shell strives to maintain a current understanding of all relevant practices and legislation to ensure consistent, high-quality products. Ocean Shell only deals with marine product exporters who hold an exporter licence. We absolutely oppose overfishing and exploitation of seabeds. We are happy to answer questions about our environmental and ethical processes.
Community partnerships
Carefully chosen, long-term partnerships enable us to produce high-quality shell products. Many of these relationships are now friendships, as we have worked together for more than 10 years on a foundation of mutual trust and communication. Site visits are conducted at least once a year. We see with our own eyes the shores and factories where our shells are gathered and processed, and only work with responsible employers who ensure safe, legal and humane working conditions.
Delivered with care
Sustainability drives all we do – from gathering shells on the coastline to shipping products into your hands. Most of our freight is done by sea, which is the most eco-friendly way to transport cargo internationally. Ocean Shell only uses shipping companies that are working to minimise their environmental impact.
Other Sustainability Safeguards
At Luméa, responsible sourcing is central to our shell materials. Our New Zealand pāua comes from fisheries managed under the Quota Management System, while our mother of pearl and other abalone shells are primarily sourced from traceable pearl and aquaculture farms. Many are byproducts of pearl or food production, giving these beautiful natural materials a second life.
Paua
Paua is a commercial fish species, sustainably managed and harvested under the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries Quota Management System, please view our article ‘ Protecting New Zealand Abalone Paua Shell’ . New Zealand’s Quote Management System was hailed as an example at the 11th ‘International Abalone Symposium’- Auckland, February 2023.
Paua Shells can be farmed, but the unique colours that made them famous can only be found in the wild. Please click on the following links to compare the Farmed Paua Shell and the Wild Paua Shell.
White Mother Of Pearl
The vast majority of exported White Mother of Pearl Shell is traceable back to the Commercial White Pearl Aquacultures.
The wild harvesting of White Mother of Pearl is fully prohibited for recreational users in Australia. However, some commercial operators are allowed under strictly controlled quota regime, with tightly monitored catch limits.
Black Mother Of Pearl
Black Mother Of Pearl is mainly sourced from French Polynesia and The Fiji Waters, it can now be traced back to the Pearl Farms of those 2 countries.
Harvesting of Black Mother of Pearl in the wild has been prohibited in French Polynesia since 1988 and in Fiji since 1993. However, community-based Aquaculture Programs exist in both those countries. Any Black mother of pearl sourced in those countries will be traceable back to the originating farms.
Donkey's Ear Abalone
Its scientific name is Haliotis Asinina. Commercial farming of this species is in the Philippines, which allows commercial supplies to be traced back to the originating aquacultures.
Korean Abalone
Scientific name is Haliotis Discus. The Shells are mainly sourced from farming in China and South Korea, the leaders in aquaculture for this species. Farming is for the meat, and the shells are sold as a byproduct for veneer sheet making.
F/W Mother Of Pearl
The Freshwater Mother of Pearls Scientific name is ‘Margaritifera, margaritifera’ – The leading world region for farming this species is along the Yangtze River- China, which drains several provinces like Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Hubei. Once again, farm production is driven by the pearl industry, and the shell is sold to factories as a byproduct for veneer sheet making.
