The latest information on pearl farming in Tahiti

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.