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In Asia, some pearl oysters could be found on shoals at a depth of 5–7 feet (1.5–2.1 meters) from the surface, but more often divers had to go 40 feet (12 meters) or even up to 125 feet (38 meters) deep to find enough pearl oysters, and these deep dives were extremely hazardous to the divers.
Pearl divers in white uniforms, 1921 Records of female pearl divers , or ama , date back as early as AD 927 in Japan's Heian period . Early ama were known to dive for seafood and were honored with the task of retrieving abalone for shrines and imperial emperors.
The island is known as the birthplace of cultured pearl aquaculture. The island is owned by Mikimoto Pearl Museum Co., Ltd. (株式会社ミキモト真珠島, Kabushiki-Gaisha-Mikimoto-Shinju-Jima), which operates the island as a tourist attraction, exhibiting pearls and pearl craft goods, and holding shows featuring ama divers.
By 1981, there were five pearl farms operational: Kuri Bay, Port Smith, Cygnet Bay, and two in Broome's Roebuck Bay. [citation needed] The industry today includes 19 of Australia's 20 cultured pearl farms and generates annual exports of A$200 million and employs approximately 1000 people. [citation needed]
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Natural sponges have been harvested by free divers near the Greek island of Kalymnos since at least the time of Plato.. Underwater diving was practiced in ancient cultures to gather food and other valuable resources such as pearls and precious coral, and later to reclaim sunken valuables, and to help aid military campaigns.