Celebrating 30 Years
From Chance Encounter to Global Pearling Pioneer
What began as a chance meeting in a Jakarta office would ultimately evolve into one of the world's largest South Sea pearl producers.
In the 1970s, Perth-based economist Professor Alex Kerr was working in Indonesia under the Colombo Plan, helping develop regional income estimates and supporting economic development initiatives. His work took him across remote regions, exposing him to both the challenges and immense potential of the Indonesian archipelago.
By the late 1980s, as his consulting appointments drew to a close, Kerr began exploring commercial opportunities in Indonesia alongside fellow Australians Ian Fisher, Adam Body and Ian Murchison. While their initial maritime ventures, including a Bali marina and prawn farming project, were unsuccessful, the group remained convinced that Indonesia offered extraordinary long-term potential.
The Seed of an Idea
In 1989, a chance meeting in a Jakarta law office would change the course of their business ambitions forever. There they met retired Indonesian naval officer Admiral Raden Panji Poernomo, affectionately known as Pak Poer, who suggested they consider pearl farming, an industry he believed held enormous promise.
The idea was compelling. Indonesia possessed ideal conditions for cultivating Pinctada maxima, the oyster responsible for producing the world's most prized South Sea pearls. Yet few operators were producing pearls to the quality standards achieved by Australia's leading pearling companies.
Recognising the opportunity, the group set out to establish a fully integrated pearl farming operation capable of producing premium South Sea pearls for the international jewellery market.
Pak Poer's deep industry knowledge and extensive government and maritime connections proved invaluable. With his support and guidance from pearl culture specialists, the team identified Kupang in West Timor as the ideal location for their first farm.
To bring the vision to life, Australian and Indonesian partners formed PT Cendana Pearls, combining resources, expertise and a shared ambition to create a world-class pearl business.
A Groundbreaking Public Company
As development accelerated, additional capital was needed to fund expansion. The company was restructured and renamed Atlas Pacific Limited, becoming the first pearl farming company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Atlas Pacific was built on a pioneering vision. Rather than relying on wild oyster stocks, the company invested in hatchery technology and sought to develop a sustainable, non-extractive farming model. This commitment to environmental stewardship became a cornerstone of the business.
The First Harvest
After years of research, development and perseverance, Atlas achieved its first harvest of company-grown pearls in 1996, six years after the project began. The results exceeded expectations. The pearls displayed exceptional shape, lustre, colour and skin quality, validating the company's strategy and confirming the long-term potential of the venture.
A Journey Into the Unknown
Just as the business was gaining momentum, political unrest in East Timor created an unexpected challenge. In 1997, rebel activity spread into West Timor, threatening staff and damaging company assets.
Prioritising safety, Atlas made the bold decision to relocate the entire operation.
With remarkable speed, staff packed equipment, live oysters and essential supplies onto a vessel and departed Kupang on 24 August 1997. Led by Farm Manager Joseph Taylor, a small team embarked on a challenging 12-day journey north in search of a new home.
The voyage tested their resolve. Rough seas, seasickness and engine failures threatened to derail the mission, but on 5 September 1997 they finally arrived at Alyui Bay in Raja Ampat.
For many, the destination felt almost unreal.
Employee Sugiwati Ndolu later recalled being overwhelmed by the beauty of the bay, surrounded by lush green islands, towering rock formations and pristine waters.
Building a Legacy in Alyui Bay
The team immediately began establishing the new farm, clearing jungle, erecting temporary shelters and setting up farming infrastructure. With support from local communities and the determination of employees, the operation steadily grew.
Today, Alyui Bay remains one of Atlas Pearls' flagship farming locations, housing a fully integrated hatchery and pearl production operation. The site is renowned not only for producing exceptional South Sea pearls but also for its strong partnerships with local communities and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Many of the employees who helped build the farm in its earliest days, including Sugiwati Ndolu, remain with the company, a testament to the enduring culture and community that have shaped Atlas Pearls' success.
When Professor Alex Kerr retired from the board in 2003, he reflected with pride on the remarkable journey from a simple idea to an internationally respected pearling company.
What began as a serendipitous meeting in Jakarta had become a pioneering enterprise, helping establish Indonesia as one of the world's premier sources of South Sea pearls.