The latest information on pearl farming in Tahiti

This unanimous vote marks the end of a highly contested structure.

Both autonomist groups criticized the initiative, calling it a “spaghetti-style hold-up” — a pointed reference to the Italian jewelry expert who had advised the previous government. Teva Rohfritsch emphasized the uselessness of the SEM, while Tearii Alpha, Minister of the Pearl, reminded that the lack of private investors had doomed the project from the start.

Despite this dissolution, the new government confirmed its intention to restructure the pearl industry in partnership with sector professionals. A first meeting of the Pearl Council has already been scheduled for Monday, July 1, with the goal of defining new directions for the Tahitian pearl.

In response to this decision, representatives of the UPLD, who voted against the dissolution, voiced their disagreement. Antony Géros accused the government of wanting to “repaint a blue project in yellow/orange,” denouncing what he saw as political appropriation. However, certain initiatives — such as pearl traceability through laser hallmarking — are expected to be maintained, with the machine’s arrival scheduled for the end of the year under the supervision of the Maison de la Perle.

The text will soon be submitted for a plenary session vote.

Created under the former Temaru government, the TPC was designed to market Tahitian pearls through a new semi-public company (SEM). Conceived with the support of Italian jewelry expert Gaetano Caballieri, the project quickly ran into opposition from industry professionals, who were against direct state intervention in commercial activity. In addition, the consortium — which was supposed to attract at least 15% of private investors — failed to secure the necessary commitments.

The Minister of Marine Resources, Tearii Alpha, emphasized that the new government intends to change its approach: it will now prioritize regulation and oversight, leaving pearl marketing to the private sector. However, state involvement is still foreseen in negotiations regarding the opening of new markets, particularly to address tariff issues, as in the case of China.

To strengthen dialogue with industry stakeholders, a Pearl Council will be created, bringing together representatives of professional organizations at the ministerial level. Its first meeting is expected within two weeks to begin reforming the regulatory framework. In the long term, the clear ambition is to improve production quality in order to boost the prices of this flagship product of the Polynesian economy.

Regarding the Maison de la Perle, Tearii Alpha stated that no decision to close it has yet been made. A budgetary review of the institution is underway, alongside a reflection on redefining its missions, with a clear commitment to closely involve the private sector in the future development strategy for the pearl industry.

The lagoon of Ahe alone had 80 pearl farm concessions as of May 2012, although uncertainties remain regarding actual production levels despite strict criteria for obtaining, extending, or renewing these permits every five years.

To clarify the situation, the Ministry of Marine Resources has announced its intention to soon launch a moratorium on temporary occupation permits for maritime space for pearl farming purposes. This decision, communicated after the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday by government spokesperson Marcel Tuihani, aims to review existing concessions, assess their actual use, and ensure their compliance with current agreements.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish a comprehensive assessment of the pearl industry in Polynesia, with the goal of developing a more coherent growth strategy. According to data from the Pearl Farming Service of the Directorate of Marine Resources, by the end of 2011, 9,720 hectares of lagoon were being used for pearl farming — a figure close to the authorized quota of 10,000 hectares across the entire territory.

Although the raw Tahitian pearl remains the driving force of the country’s exports, concerns persist, particularly due to declining quality and the proliferation of producers — factors that have contributed to the recent crisis in the pearl industry. This situation calls for constant monitoring and strategic adjustments to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.