The Western Australian Research Laboratories began investigating the feasibility of artificially propagating the silverlip or goldlip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima, (Jameson) in 1982 and culminated its study by operating a pilot ­scale, seasonal hatchery at the Broome Jetty, Broome, Western Australia from 1986 to 1989. This manual describes the hatchery facilities and husbandry techniques developed during this period for the spawning and culture of the larvae and newly settled spat.