The latest information on pearl farming in Tahiti

A first prototype will be tested by the end of the year on the atoll of Takaroa in the Tuamotus.

For decades, ropes, nets, and buoys have accumulated on lagoon floors, forming a persistent marine pollution. Although several clean-up campaigns have taken place, removing this waste—sometimes from depths of over 60 meters—is a difficult, time-consuming, and risky task for divers.

“During a mission to Rangiroa, we saw that the waste was removed manually, with no other extraction method available,” explains Tearai Sioult, a member of the Te Mā Tairoto team. “These underwater webs are hazardous and complicate the process. Once brought ashore, the waste clutters docks that the local population relies on.”

To tackle this issue, Te Mā Tairoto relies on cutting-edge technology: a mini underwater robot equipped with sonar identifies the waste, which is then collected by a barge fitted with mechanical claws and storage bins.

“Using the sonar on our ROV, we can accurately detect the areas to be cleaned,” explains maritime engineer Alice Mounier-Vehier. “The extraction process is entirely automated. Waste is sorted, cleaned, and stored on-site, without disturbing the marine ecosystem.”



The robot can perform up to nine hours of continuous inspection and reach depths of 100 meters—upgradeable to 300 meters, according to its pilot, Charles Tegakau-Raparii.

Once recovered, the waste is brought back to the main village and shipped to Tahiti. Its potential for recycling is currently under study. “We’re working with specialists in plastic waste reprocessing to explore recycling solutions,” says Alice.

Initial tests in Takaroa have been well received by locals and municipal authorities. A public meeting helped map out the intervention areas without interfering with residents’ activities.

Winner of the Toa Reef prize from IFRECOR and recipient of the IUCN Best Life grant, the project has managed to fund its prototype, though not the entire operation. “This is just the first version,” Tearai concludes. “The deployment in Takaroa will help us refine and improve the machine. We hope to secure more funding to develop the final version.”

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.

3,500 pearl oysters were reintroduced into their natural environment in an attempt to revive reproduction and, consequently, the entire pearl industry.

For several years, professionals in the sector have noticed a significant decline in collection—the crucial process of capturing pearl larvae used to produce the famous black pearls. This decline has been confirmed by annual assessments conducted by the Marine Resources Department (DRM), highlighting a worrying situation for this island, whose economy relies mainly on pearl farming.



Mangareva, which alone accounts for 33% of French Polynesia's pearl production, can only rely on its own biological resources: as the importation of mother-of-pearl is strictly prohibited, the natural reproduction of oysters is vital for the future of the sector.

It is in this context that a DRM team visited the site from December 13 to 17, in collaboration with pearl farmers, to carry out a restocking operation in the lagoon. Thanks to the mobilization of several committed professionals—Benoît Urarii, Thomas Essen, James Gooding, Puea Taerea, Hoarai Urarii, and Joseph Teakarotu—and their teams, 3,500 mother-of-pearl shells were placed in areas carefully selected by scientists from IRD and IFREMER.

The oysters, which are mature and ready to spawn, were placed on natural substrates accessible by free diving. Pearl farmers will now monitor them regularly to observe the evolution of these populations and hopefully ensure their active participation in future spawning.





“Re-seeding is already a first step. It mobilizes and raises awareness among pearl farmers. If it works, we will do it often,” says James Gooding, one of the people involved in this initiative.

Objectives and Targeted Areas

Launched in 2021, the initiative focuses on islands where pearl farming waste is most prevalent, including: Apataki, Arutua, Ahe, Manihi, Takaroa, Takapoto, Aratika, Kaukura, Fakarava, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Gambier.

These islands were selected based on two key criteria:

The presence of historical waste from past practices,

Current high pearl farming activity, generating substantial waste.

Types of Waste Collected

Pearl farming waste includes various materials used in pearl farms:

Ropes, Collectors, Buoys, Protective nets (essential for pearl farming but harmful to the marine environment when discarded).

Collection and Disposal Methodology

To ensure efficient waste management, the DRM implemented a structured collection system:

"Big bags" were distributed to pearl farmers, who then formed local management committees in collaboration with community associations.

Municipalities provided technical and logistical support for waste storage and transport to docks.

The government organized the shipment of waste to Tahiti, where it is processed in approved facilities.

Results and Next Steps

Between November 2021 and March 2022, the operation successfully collected and treated 1,010 big bags (approximately 1,000 m³ of waste). A major shipment of 574 big bags was recently transported via the vessels Cobia 3 and Mareva Nui.

Cleanup efforts will continue throughout the year, with Phase 2 focusing on removing waste from lagoons, in addition to land-stored debris. This initiative is part of a broader program to establish sustainable and eco-friendly pearl farming waste management, safeguarding marine ecosystems and reinforcing Polynesia’s reputation as a responsible player in the pearl industry.

Expected Impact

This initiative is set to:
✔ Reduce the environmental footprint of pearl farming,
✔ Improve lagoon health (critical for pearl oyster survival),
✔ Raise awareness among farmers about responsible waste management,
✔ Strengthen cooperation between local stakeholders, authorities, and communities for shared, sustainable natural resource management.

By combining environmental cleanup with cross-sector collaboration, this operation serves as a model for marine conservation and supports the long-term viability of Polynesia’s pearl industry.

For nearly 40 years, debris from pearl farms has contaminated lagoons and atolls, tarnishing the reputation of the famed Tahitian Pearl. In response, the government has launched an ambitious cleanup operation to address this ecological crisis.

Environmental Wake-Up Call

The pollution crisis has prompted:

Immediate action: Distribution of 1,300 waste collection bags across the Tuamotus, Gambiers, and Leeward Islands (May-July 2021)

Record cleanup: Over 100 cubic meters of waste collected in Apataki through collaboration between farmers and local association Te hotu no te Fenua no Apataki

Emergency measures: Waste transport to Tahiti's Punaruu Landfill (C.E.T.) for temporary disposal

Multi-Stakeholder Approach

The 2020 Pearl Farming Seminar established a framework involving:
✓ Municipal governments
✓ Management committees
✓ Pearl farmers
✓ Local communities
✓ National authorities

Sustainable Solutions in Development

While immediate waste burial addresses the crisis, long-term strategies include:

Material substitution: Phasing out plastic farming equipment

Industry funding: New financial contributions from pearl farmers

Legislative reform: Upcoming amendments to pearl farming regulations

*"The math is sobering - an average farm generates 2 tons of waste annually,"* officials note. The government is developing a comprehensive plan to:

Remove historical waste (40+ years of accumulation)

Establish efficient processing systems

Implement preventive measures against new pollution

This ecological initiative represents a critical step in preserving both French Polynesia's marine ecosystems and the premium status of its signature black pearls. As cleanup efforts continue, the focus shifts to creating sustainable industry practices that will protect these fragile island environments for generations to come.

1. Pearl Farming Waste Crisis

Recent studies and annual clean-up campaigns confirm uncontrolled accumulation of pearl industry waste across the Gambier Archipelago

Zero recycling/treatment solutions currently exist, leaving debris to pollute fragile ecosystems unchecked

2. Foreign Grafter Shortage

Chinese grafters (essential for pearl cultivation) remain stranded due to unresolved entry protocols

Farmers await Tahiti's decision on repatriation logistics – a make-or-break factor for farm reactivation

3. Microplastic Contamination

Ifremer research reveals microplastics embedding in pearl nuclei before nacre formation

Microscopic analysis confirms contamination, raising alarms about:
✓ Pearl quality degradation
✓ Long-term brand integrity risks


Context: The sector struggles to recover from pandemic impacts, with these compounding challenges threatening the economic lifeline of the islands. While the meeting marked growing awareness, stakeholders emphasize that concrete action plans must follow – before environmental and operational pressures become irreversible.

The government announced its support for establishing a system to repatriate pearl farming waste but clarified that it would not be directly involved in underwater cleanup, leaving this responsibility to pearl farmers.

Tearii Alpha, Minister of the Blue Economy, emphasized that pearl farmers, as beneficiaries of the industry, are responsible for lagoon quality. While the government pledged logistical support for waste management, professionals will have to handle the practical aspects of underwater cleanup to safeguard the lagoons and ensure the industry’s sustainable development.

The health of the lagoons is becoming increasingly critical for the future of pearl farming, especially as environmental concerns—particularly microplastic contamination—threaten pearl oyster survival. Newly established management committees will monitor the situation and coordinate lagoon cleanup efforts.

The government also stressed the need for sustainable solutions to manage pearl farming waste and encouraged greater transparency in this area. Tearii Alpha highlighted the urgency of action while underscoring the importance of collective efforts to ensure quality and accountability in the sector.

Following the seminar, several decisions were made to redefine pearl farming regulations: a freeze on new concessions, a production cap of 2,500 pearls per hectare to prevent oversupply, promotion of auction sales, and stronger support for local employment in the islands. These measures will be formalized in upcoming regulatory reforms.

His research reveals that microplastic contamination in pearl farming lagoons severely affects the oysters' energy metabolism, impairs gamete formation, and reduces pearl quality. Laboratory data supports these findings, showing energy imbalances in oysters, reproductive disruptions, and a decline in pearl quality.

Funded by the Directorate of Marine Resources (DRM), this study indicates that plastic waste, introduced by farming structures since the 1980s, is now omnipresent in Polynesia’s pearl lagoon waters. These microplastics, found in high concentrations in surface waters and the water column, pose a major risk to pearl oysters, which—as filter-feeding organisms—are particularly vulnerable.

While pearl farming is not the primary source of plastic waste, global plastic production, largely used for packaging, significantly contributes to ocean pollution. In Polynesia, the pearl industry generates around 140 tons of plastic waste annually, worsening lagoon degradation.

Facing this environmental threat, the DRM supports research projects like Resccue, which seeks sustainable solutions for pearl farming and promotes a circular economy. However, the high cost and complexity of lagoon cleanup make it urgent to find alternative solutions and reform industry practices. Reducing plastic pollution is crucial not only to protect the already economically fragile pearl industry but also to ensure the long-term sustainability of lagoon ecosystems.

In January, IFREMER had already highlighted the concerning impact of microplastic pollution on pearl oysters in the Tuamotu archipelago, emphasizing pearl farming's role in this environmental challenge.

A partnership agreement (No. 2233 VP/DRM) was signed between the government, the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), the Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l'Environnement (CRIOBE), and the Marine Resources Department for a project titled "Social Perceptions of Pollution and Pearl Farming Waste in the Tuamotu." This anthropological study seeks to examine the social crisis affecting pearl-producing atoll communities.

The agreement notes that pearl farming, due to its extensive plastic use, significantly contributes to lagoon pollution. Plastic waste—both macro-debris and microplastics—exerts environmental pressure on coral ecosystems and aquaculture populations.

The study will focus on analyzing plastic pollution through a social sciences lens, primarily anthropology, to better understand local perceptions of pollution and waste.

Findings will help propose solutions to reduce macro-waste pollution in coral lagoons and could lead to developing a best practices charter with the Marine Resources Department. This social approach is considered crucial for influencing pearl farmers' practices and mitigating lagoon pollution.

Finally, an ethnographic survey will be conducted across three Tuamotu atolls (Ahe, Takaroa, Takapoto) to compare socio-economic similarities and ecological differences between sites. An anthropology student will oversee the six-month fieldwork.

A Legacy of Plastic Waste

Following the pearl industry collapse in the 1990s, abandoned farms left behind tons of plastic debris. Over time, weathering has broken this waste down into micro- and nanoplastics, now pervasive in lagoon waters.

Groundbreaking Research

The three-year MICROLAG study includes work by Tony Gardon, a PhD student and recipient of a 200,000-franc award from Europcar at the University Research Conferences. His research focuses on four pearl-farming lagoons in the Tuamotu, where he collected water samples based on particle sizes filtered by oysters.

Alarming Findings

• 5–8% of sampled particles were plastics.


• Surface waters contain 2.5–4.5 particles per cubic meter, while deeper water concentrations soar to 176 particles per cubic meter—comparable to Mediterranean pollution levels.


• Over 40% of these microplastics originate from pearl farming equipment.

Oysters Under Threat

As filter feeders, oysters are highly vulnerable. Gardon’s experiments with polystyrene microbeads revealed:

• Reduced nutrient absorption


• Metabolic disruptions


• Declining gamete production


• Physical damage to reproductive organs

A Call for Action

While results are preliminary, Gardon plans to expand his research—particularly on nanoplastics, an emerging threat. The findings underscore an urgent need for solutions to protect Polynesia’s pearl industry, an economic treasure now at risk.

The turquoise waters of Takaroa's lagoon in the Tuamotu archipelago faced an unprecedented algal bloom five years ago. The Vaitia phenomenon triggered an ecological disaster: oxygen depletion, mass oyster die-offs, and near-total failure of spat collection. Existing pearl farms suffered devastating losses, with most grafted oysters perishing and survivors still struggling to reach maturity.

Today, Vaitia's scars remain visible. Spat collection rates stay critically low, while once-productive lagoon zones lie fallow. This emergency tax relief acknowledges both the industry's fragile recovery and Takaroa's vital economic dependence on pearl farming—where nearly 70% of livelihoods connect to the sector.

The 2019 fee exemption serves dual purposes:

1. Economic First Aid: Immediate financial breathing room for farmers facing 40-60% reduced production capacity

2. Ecological Warning: Highlights lagoon ecosystems' vulnerability to climate-driven disruptions

"This isn't just about fees—it's about giving our lagoon time to heal," explains local pearl farmer Tearii Labaste. "When oysters starve for oxygen, their nacre weakens. We're essentially restarting our farms from zero."

The measure coincides with new scientific monitoring initiatives by the French Polynesia Marine Resources Department to better predict and prevent future algal blooms. As climate change increases the frequency of such events, the government's intervention sets a precedent for adaptive management in Polynesia's $200 million pearl industry—where environmental stewardship now proves as crucial as business acumen.

After a three-hour wait at Faa'a International Airport, the two men retrieved a cooler containing potentially contaminated oysters, which had been transferred without authorization from Raroia. Upon inspection, Maître Elie broke the seals, revealing a strong foul odor and visible abnormalities on the shells.

Teiva Manutahi condemned the threat to Takume’s lagoon and the entire local pearl industry. He stated this was the first time in thirty years that diseased oysters had been observed in the lagoon—a situation professionals deem alarming.

The oysters displayed unusual black spots and concerning deformities. Faced with these clear signs of disease, Tavivi stressed the need for reliable scientific results from IFREMER to substantiate their claims and trigger appropriate legal action.

The pearl farmers’ efforts aim not only to protect their environment but also to raise public awareness about the dangers of uncontrolled introductions into fragile ecosystems. The case now hinges on lab results and potential intervention by the prosecutor.

The Climate Threat to Pinctada Margaritifera

🌡️ Critical Findings:

• Oysters exposed to +2°C water temperatures show:
• Disrupted metabolism
• Reduced pearl quality
• Higher mortality rates
• 69% of Polynesia’s goods exports (€73.7M in 2014) now vulnerable

👥 Human Impact:

• 1,300 direct jobs (5,000–8,000 indirectly) at stake
• Remote atolls most affected (few economic alternatives)
• Adaptation Strategies Underway

🔬 Scientific Countermeasures:

Geographic Shift:

Relocating farms from Tuamotu to cooler Austral Islands

Genetic Research:

Studying heat-resistant oyster subspecies in Marquesas

Hatchery Innovations:

Developing temperature-tolerant larvae

💡 Government-Private Partnerships:

• $5M R&D initiative launched in 2023
• Real-time lagoon monitoring systems
• Industry Resilience

Despite challenges, Polynesia bets on:
✨ Premium Positioning: Leveraging rarity to justify higher prices
♻ Eco-Certification: Sustainable pearl branding for climate-conscious buyers
🌊 Coral Restoration: Protecting oyster habitats through reef regeneration


Expert Insight: *"This isn’t just about saving pearls—it’s preserving a 5,000-year-old relationship between our people and the ocean,"* says marine biologist Dr. Hinano Teavai-Murphy.

Next Steps: Pilot farms in Austral Islands to launch by 2025, while blockchain tracing ensures climate-adaptive practices meet luxury market demands.