The latest information on pearl farming in Tahiti

Organized by the Tahitian Pearl Association of French Polynesia (TPAFP) under President Aline Baldassari-Bernard, with support from CCISM and Air Tahiti Nui, the event gathered nearly 100 pearl industry professionals.

Over two days of intensive discussions, eight speakers addressed critical themes spanning R&D, environmental and health monitoring, to pearl marketing strategies. The North American market received special focus through presentations by renowned American gemologist Étienne Perret.

In his closing address, Minister Rohfritsch outlined key elements of the proposed pearl sector reform, emphasizing:

• Production regulation through national quotas
• Classification modernization to meet international standards
• Enhanced oversight of industry stakeholders
• Sustainable practices including lagoon preservation and waste recycling

This ambitious reform aims to modernize French Polynesia's pearl industry while ensuring its long-term viability amid current economic and environmental challenges.

The Pearl Forum served as a vital platform for professionals to exchange ideas, explore innovation pathways, and collectively commit to building a sustainable future for Polynesia's pearl industry.

Interview with Étienne Perret

What brought you to Tahiti and the Pearl Forum?
"This is my first visit to Tahiti, and I'm awestruck by the country's beauty. For me, understanding the origin of the materials I work with is essential. Participating in and learning about the production process is far more rewarding than just focusing on sales figures."

How long have you worked with pearls?
"I began crafting jewelry in 1974, mainly using small Japanese pearls. At the time, Tahitian and Southeast Asian pearls were still relatively uncommon."

Why choose Tahitian pearls?
"I've always been fascinated by pearls. Initially, Tahitian pearls were beyond reach due to their high cost. As my business grew and prices stabilized, I now select Tahitian pearls for their color diversity, matching them to my clients' designs and tastes."

What was the focus of your Pearl Forum presentations?
"I shared strategies for selling pearl jewelry in the U.S. market, discussing distribution channels and their trade-offs. My second talk addressed competition—how to position Tahitian pearls as the top choice for jewelry buyers."

Is competition from other pearls a threat?
"Yes, particularly Chinese pearls, which impact sales. Given Tahiti's high production costs and complex export regulations, staying globally competitive is challenging."

What message do you have for Polynesia's pearl industry professionals?
"Keep selling the Tahitian dream—an allure built over generations. Promoting Polynesia is key to strengthening Tahitian pearls' image and demand. It’s also vital to captivate younger generations, embedding Tahiti in their imagination and daily lives."

A marine ecology professor at the University of French Polynesia and researcher at the "Oceanic Island Ecosystems" Joint Research Unit (UMR-EIO), Gaertner-Mazouni explains the goal was to make scientific knowledge accessible and directly applicable in the field.

The result of several years' work under the ANR-funded Polyperl research program, this guide celebrates collective effort while providing tangible feedback to pearl farmers who were actively involved in the research.

Structured around thirty practical fact sheets, the publication covers all essential aspects of pearl farming: industry overview, administrative procedures for becoming a producer, health monitoring, diving safety, waste management, oyster collection, pearl oyster cultivation, grafting (the key pearl production stage), and a socioeconomic analysis of the sector.

"We provide recommendations and clarify certain regulatory points, but without imposing obligations," emphasizes Gaertner-Mazouni. Designed for all industry professionals, the guide will soon be distributed across the islands and presented to participants of the Pearl Forum opening today at Papeete's CCISM.

Published in July 2016 in the specialized journal Animal Genetics, the study highlights the influence of rare biological traits—such as red or white shells and orange flesh—on pearl color and luster, essential criteria for quality.

Pearl farming represents a backbone of the local economy, involving over 500 producers, generating 1,300 direct jobs, and accounting for 70% of Polynesian exports. Aware of these stakes, Ifremer scientists worked closely with farmers to collect oysters displaying atypical characteristics. These specimens were then artificially crossbred in the laboratory to study the genetic transmission of their unique traits.

The article reveals a direct correlation between oyster shell color and the resulting pearl's hue. Simultaneously, researchers assessed the prevalence of these rare-colored oysters across Polynesian atolls. In Mangareva, for instance, wild oysters with orange flesh show particularly high concentrations.

The genetic selection of Pinctada margaritifera, French Polynesia's emblematic pearl oyster, thus opens unprecedented prospects for the industry. Leveraging Ifremer's expertise in animal science, a new era of "modern pearl farming" is emerging—equipping local producers with innovative tools to stand out in international markets.

Confronting both the concerning devaluation of pearls and the proliferation of street vendors, TPAFP President Aline Baldassari sounded the alarm on the sector's challenges. The forum marks a new phase in efforts to restore Tahitian pearls' prestige and reclaim their status as a signature Polynesian treasure.

Among keynote guests, American gemologist Etienne Perret will share expertise on the North American market, offering concrete strategies to boost Polynesian pearl sales—a highly anticipated session for professionals seeking fresh marketing approaches.

The forum's agenda also tackles critical technical and scientific dimensions: R&D in pearl farming, color and size control techniques, and CCISM-led initiatives. This comprehensive overview will address the industry's global challenges.

Nabila Gaertner-Mazouni, professor at the University of French Polynesia, will highlight the interdependence between lagoon ecosystems and pearl quality, emphasizing that environmental preservation is now central to the sector's future.

The closing session will feature Teva Rohfritsch, Minister of the Blue Economy, outlining upcoming regulatory reforms—a rallying cry to modernize Polynesian pearl farming and strengthen its international competitiveness.

Despite increased production, the sector has faced declining prices for 25 years, threatening nearly 3,000 jobs. A third of farms have closed over the past eight years, underscoring the need for decisive action.

The reform introduces national production quotas allocated among farms. All pearls must be registered, with excess production banned from sale to safeguard lagoon health and product value.

Teva Rohfritsch, Minister of the Blue Economy, frames this as a sustainable development initiative. Quotas will adapt to each lagoon's ecological specifics, and public domain usage terms will tighten to mandate environmental restoration and waste management.

Another breakthrough: the elimination of "rejected pearls." All pearls can now be utilized—particularly in crafts and jewelry—without minimum nacre thickness requirements, though optional certifications remain available.

To combat illegal practices, producers, traders, and retailers will be prohibited from transferring pearls to third parties without authorization. Nucleus purchases will be strictly regulated, with mandatory record-keeping for merchants.

Endorsed by the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council, the bill faces assembly vote ahead of a January implementation. In tandem, the Tahitian Pearl Association of French Polynesia will host a Pearl Forum on October 20-21 at CCISM—a public platform to debate the future of Polynesian pearl farming.

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.