Mireille Haoatai, the island’s mayor, reaffirmed her priority: to breathe new life into the local pearl industry.

Welcoming a ministerial delegation, the mayor delivered a clear assessment: the pearl sector has sharply declined, mainly due to difficulties related to the management of maritime concessions. Today, around 1,000 pearl farmers remain, compared to 4,000 at the peak of activity.

To reverse this trend, Mireille Haoatai is banking on a “produce better” strategy, relying on scientific research. She is counting on Ifremer’s expertise to support pearl farmers in improving pearl quality by “helping nature” produce more consistent gems with brighter colors.

Present during the visit, the Minister for Overseas Territories, George Pau-Langevin, praised this approach and assured the State’s support for Ifremer’s research. She also highlighted the importance of restoring the image of the Polynesian pearl, suggesting it be showcased at the next Salon de l’Agriculture — a prestigious platform to captivate the general public and rekindle interest in this natural treasure.

For his part, the President of French Polynesia, Edouard Fritch, emphasized the need to reform the industry. Citing Australia as an example — where pearl farming is concentrated among a handful of companies that focus on quality and strict management of waste discharged into the sea — he called on Polynesian stakeholders to draw inspiration from this model. The government encourages a fresh start based on self-monitoring and operator accountability, to guarantee exceptional pearls and ensure a sustainable industry.

In Manihi, the cradle of the Tahitian cultured pearl, hope for a renaissance is emerging — driven by political will, scientific research, and a renewed commitment to quality.