The latest information on pearl farming in Tahiti

Departing from France for a three-year journey, the team recently docked in Mangareva, at the heart of the Gambier Islands—home to 60% of French Polynesia’s pearl industry.

A Troubling Reality in the Lagoon

The crew quickly witnessed the scale of plastic pollution on the island. In the turquoise waters near the pearl farm of Magali and Dominique Devaux, plastic waste accumulates. While pearl farming relies on plastic equipment—buoys, nets, and baskets—its management remains a challenge.

"Some buoys can be reused, but many are damaged and end up stored on land for months," explains Magali Devaux, farm manager. This "temporary" storage has become a logistical nightmare.

Her husband Dominique adds: "We send our plastic waste to Tahiti’s landfill, but it’s a short-term solution—far from ecologically ideal."

A Floating Laboratory for Solutions

Enter Plastic Odyssey. Aboard their ship-laboratory, the team demonstrates innovative recycling techniques. Collected plastics are shredded and transformed on-site into useful items: paving stones, roofing tiles, construction materials—all using low-cost, simple machines designed for local replication.

"We want to show that used plastic can become a resource, not just waste," says Maxime Thirouin, the expedition’s recycling engineer. A message of hope for local stakeholders, especially pearl farmers.

Dominique Devaux is optimistic: "This project opens real possibilities for our industry. We need sustainable solutions tailored to our reality."

Building a Polynesian Recycling Network

Guided by the Direction des Ressources Marines, efforts are underway to establish a Polynesian plastic upcycling system. The goal? To collect, sort, and transform plastic waste—particularly from pearl farming—while creating local jobs and economic value.

Plastic Odyssey’s stop in Mangareva marks a pivotal moment in the fight against plastic pollution in island environments. Proving that even in remote corners of the world, innovation and environmental commitment can go hand in hand.

Organized by GIE Poe o Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Pearl Auction, this international pearl sale brought together key industry players under the watchful eyes of President Edouard Fritch and the Chinese consul, who were present to assess the state of French Polynesia’s pearl sector.

A total of 280,000 pearls, primarily sourced from the Tuamotu lagoons, were offered for sale across 277 lots. Buyers from China, Japan, the U.S., and Australia participated, reaffirming strong international demand for Tahitian pearls.

A Market Under Pressure

Organizers had hoped to achieve sales between 250 and 300 million Fcfp (XPF)—a target shared by producers grappling with an ongoing crisis. The root cause? Overproduction in recent years, which has far exceeded global demand. As a result, prices have plummeted, destabilizing the entire industry.

Compounding the issue is an overall decline in pearl quality, further straining the sector. President Fritch addressed this reality head-on, urging regulation: "We must enforce production controls and implement necessary administrative measures. This is a priority if we want to safeguard the future of this iconic industry."

Balancing Supply and Demand

The auction highlighted both the enduring appeal of Tahitian pearls and the urgent need for production discipline. With international buyers still engaged but prices under pressure, the sector faces a critical juncture—one that will require coordinated action to restore equilibrium.