Pearl-Shellers Of Torres Strait

Resource Use, Development and Decline, 1860sâ"1960s

By: Regina Ganter

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Paperback | 14 June 2024 | Edition Number 1

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330 Pages

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29.7 x 25 x 6.1

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In an ethnically stratified work force, Japanese, South Sea Islander, Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal divers brought up from the sea floor the shell that produced mother-of-pearl, and sometimes pearls. Many men died at this dangerous work.

This was an industry that could have given the indigenous peoples of Torres Strait an occupation that preserved their identity and independence. Yet in spite of a co-operative lugger scheme that operated fairly successfully in the early twentieth century, a real independence was not achieved. And a resource that could have been conserved by small-scale indigenous harvesting was depleted time and again by the colonial practices of resource-raiding and mass extraction.

Regina Ganter charts the progress of pearl-shelling from its heyday through its several crises resulting from overfishing to its present cautious management. The book is greatly enhanced by the oral testimony of divers and boat-owners.

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction History General & World History Sociology & Anthropology Anthropology Social & Cultural Anthropology, Ethnography Industry & Industrial Studies Regional & National History Australasian & Pacific History Society & Culture

Illustrations
Nomenclature of Torres Strait Islands
Conversions
Preface
Introduction	p. 1
A Colonial Birthmark? The Emergence of an Ethnically Stratified Labour Market	p. 14
The Eclipse of an Alternative Production Strategy: the Torres Strait Lugger Scheme	p. 61
A Matter of Convenience: the Japanese Dominance in Pearl-shelling	p. 99
Losing Grip: the Japanese Challenge to an Australian Industry	p. 129
Resource Use and Management	p. 151
The Last Thing on their Minds: Marketing	p. 195
Beyond the 1960s	p. 225
Explaining Decline: the Role of the State	p. 234
Appendix I: The Network of Early Stations	p. 243
Appendix II: Statistics on Productivity	p. 248
Glossary	p. 254
Notes	p. 260
Bibliography	p. 279
Index	p. 292
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

Pearl-Shellers Of Torres Strait

Resource Use, Development and Decline, 1860sâ"1960s

At a Glance

Paperback

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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