THE JOURNEY OF A YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER IN ABU DHABI
Out of all the paths one could take in contemporary society, 21-year-old Khaled Al Hammadi has chosen to pursue a career as a ‘treasure hunter.’ He stands out as a pearl farmer, a first for his family lineage. Growing up on Dalma Island in Abu Dhabi, Al Hammadi has been connected with the sea since childhood. He fondly recalls diving and fishing as some of his most cherished pastimes, driven by a fascination for the treasures that lie beneath the ocean surface.
FROM CHILDHOOD PASSIONS TO A PROFESSIONAL DREAM
Khaled Al Hammadi shared his experiences with Khaleej Times, stating, “If you’re born in Dalma, you will surely dive into the waters, regardless of your age or gender.” His love for the ocean was further influenced by his father’s role as a fisherman, instilling in him the skills of his forebears. Al Hammadi discovered “many beautiful things” underwater that one could never find on land, emphasizing the need to dive deep to truly appreciate them. Among the wonders of the sea, he cherishes his encounters with baby squids the most.
For him, the sea represents both a refuge and a lifelong passion, prompting him to join the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) pearl farming program. His application led him to become a pearl operation technician at the Abu Dhabi Pearl Centre situated in Al Mirfa, where he is breaking new ground as the first in his family in the pearling vocation. He proudly noted, “I learnt many things about pearl seeding, and now I practise the hardest techniques to produce these pearls,” showcasing a tray of beautifully crafted pearls as evidence of his dedication.
ASPIRATIONS TOWARD PEARL EXPERTISE AND FUTURE PLANS
With aspirations to achieve the status of a pearl expert, Al Hammadi recognizes the lengthy journey ahead, stating, “It requires long years of experience to become one, not a year or two.” Having spent over a year and three months at the Pearl Centre, he is dedicated to mastering this delicate art. While he remains unsure of what his next business venture may be post-expertise, he is resolute in his pursuit to excel in his domain. “Not sure what I can take on as a business. It will depend on the regulations then, so I will go with the flow,” he confessed.
At present, pearl diving is prohibited across Abu Dhabi, with exclusive rights granted to the environment agency to catch pearls in sustainable ways. Al Hammadi is currently participating in the Abu Dhabi Pearl Festival, allowing him the chance to share his passion with both residents and tourists from the UAE. The festival provides an insightful glimpse into the intricate process of how the emirate’s pearls are implanted and nurtured.
ENGAGING FESTIVAL DEMONSTRATIONS FOR VISITORS
Taking place from January 17 to 23 at the Pearl Centre, the festival allows visitors to witness Al Hammadi in action as he seeds a native oyster species, Pinctada radiata, recognized for producing high-quality pearls. He meticulously places a small shell bead and mantle tissue into the oyster, stimulating it to secrete the nacre material essential for pearl formation. Al Hammadi relayed, “The most enjoyable part of working with pearls is that no matter how deep you dig into the science of its operations, there are still many possible techniques that have not been discovered yet. We are always exploring new ways to produce more pearls.”
However, the process is not without its struggles. “The seeding operation requires so much patience and precision, no matter how much you practise it. Even if your hand is used to it, you will still need to be very cautious because any mistake would kill the oyster,” he conveyed, highlighting the seriousness of the craft.
PEARL PRODUCTION TARGETS AND CHALLENGES AHEAD
Festival-goers are able to walk along a small boardwalk for a closer look at the underwater nursing cages where oysters are placed and properly cleaned before and after seeding. The Pearl Centre aims to capture around 100,000 oysters each year, from which approximately 80,000 survive the implantation process. Ayesha Al Hammadi, the unit head at the centre, explained, “Our target is to produce between 20,000 and 25,000 pearls a year.”
Since the establishment of the Pearl Centre in 2007, the pearls cultivated there have not yet been allocated for commercial sale, as the regulations to permit this are still in the approval process. So far, the pearls have been primarily designated for gifting and special projects coordinated by the agency, such as a jewelry design competition for Zayed University’s arts and creative industries students. The agency has implemented the winning designs, which blend natural themes with traditional heritage, and these pieces can be viewed at the festival.