Factors Contributing to the Decline of Pearl Diving Profession
Many countries, including the UAE, Australia, and Kuwait, have historically specialized in the profession of pearl diving. However, this industry experienced a significant decline in the late 1920s due to several factors detailed below:
The Emergence of Japan in the Pearl Market
By the early 1920s, Japan established a prominent reputation in the pearl market, successfully circumventing the challenges faced by traditional pearl divers. The introduction of cultured pearls from Japan offered consumers an appealing alternative, characterized by higher quality and lower prices compared to natural pearls. This shift severely impacted the pearl industry in various nations, particularly in the United Arab Emirates.
The Rise of New Industrial Sectors
The United Arab Emirates was notably affected by this change, as the emergence of new sectors, such as the oil industry, resulted in significant revenue gains for the country. Consequently, the profession of pearl diving became somewhat stagnant as economic priorities shifted.
The Hazards of Pearl Diving
Despite the introduction of diving suits in the late 19th century, which made deep-water diving more manageable, pearl diving remained an inherently dangerous profession. Divers faced threats from shark attacks, hazardous marine life, unpredictable weather patterns leading to storms, and the risk of drowning, resulting in numerous fatalities among divers over the years.
Interesting Facts About Pearl Diving
Several fascinating facts exist regarding the profession of pearl diving, including:
- Divers must maintain excellent physical health to endure prolonged periods underwater.
- Typically, divers would complete between 40-100 dives per day, only surfacing briefly to catch their breath.
- Diving depths could reach approximately 37 meters underwater in the pursuit of pearls.
- Divers were required to work for at least two minutes beneath the surface before resurfacing.
- Pearls accounted for about 95% of the local income for numerous nations renowned for this profession.
- The history of pearl diving in Mexico dates back approximately 7,000 years.
- Many divers suffered from various health issues due to the nature of their work, including pressure-related medical conditions and hallucinations, with several tragically losing their lives.
- To mitigate the dangers associated with traditional diving, many countries have turned to pearl farming as a safer alternative.
- UAE pearls were exported to various destinations, including Rome, Venice, India, and Sri Lanka.
- The practice of pearl diving has played a significant role in the development of historic cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.