Gametogenic activity, growth, mortality and somatic production of an unexploited Pinctada imbricata population from the Cabo de la Vela (Guajira, Colombian Caribbean, 12° 10N, 72° 20W) was studied. P. imbricata exhibits a continuous gametogenic cycle with a five-month period (January to June) of high gametogenic activity. Gametogenesis is inversely correlated to temperature, indicating a relation between spawning and upwelling induced food availability. Final growth parameters according to the von-Bertalanffy-growth equation, estimated from tagging-recapture data, were Lµ = 84.0 mm and K = 0.939 yr-1; total mortality, corresponding to natural mortality M, was calculated as Z = 2.687 yr-1. The -ratio for this population estimated with the weight specific growth rate method was 1.515. From the results it was generally concluded that P. imbricata has a large aquaculture potential owing to its continuous gametogenic cycle and a high growth and production rate.