The latest information on pearl farming in Tahiti

Seriously injured, the man was treated by his colleagues before being stabilized by the medical team at the clinic. He must be evacuated urgently to Tahiti. This rare and tragic accident occurred on Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the calm waters of Rikitea Lagoon. Shortly after entering the water, a pearl diver was violently attacked by what appears to be a large tiger shark, according to the victim's initial statements. The information was revealed by our colleagues at TNTV and confirmed by the local clinic's doctor.

Quickly rescued by his colleagues, the injured man received first aid on site, including a tourniquet, before being rushed to the medical center. Thanks to the responsiveness of the medical teams, he was stabilized. His condition is not life-threatening, but the severity of the injury requires his medical evacuation to Tahiti.

This is not the first time a tiger shark has been spotted in the area. Last week, one reportedly attempted to attack a diver by biting his fin. These disturbing reports raise questions about the growing presence of these predators in the lagoon.

When contacted, Stéphane Paeamara, second deputy mayor of Rikitea, pointed out that “the lagoon is open to the ocean, and large sharks enter it, along with other pelagic fish.” This geographical configuration makes any form of control or prevention difficult.

While shark attacks remain rare in French Polynesia, this incident has reignited concerns among pearl farmers, who dive in these waters every day to carry out their work.

Export earnings from pearls have dropped by half, falling from 5 billion Fcfp in 2019 to just 2.5 billion in 2020, according to data from the Polynesian Statistical Institute (ISPF). This sharp decline, exacerbated by the pandemic, has highlighted several challenges, including a shortage of grafters.

For the past two years, Chinese grafters, who made up a significant part of the workforce, have been unable to leave their home country, leading to a decline in high-quality pearl production. At the Papeete market, pearl supply has been cut in half, causing tension among jewelry sellers. Heiani Riaria, a vendor, notes: *"Before, we used to buy up to 1,000 pieces, and now we only get 500. Prices have also doubled—pearls now sell for 500 to 1,000 Fcfp, compared to 250-300 Fcfp before."*

Despite the reputation of Chinese workers for efficiency and affordability, there is an urgent need to train more local grafters. Fanny Yip, a jewelry store manager, emphasizes the importance of supporting and training local grafters to reduce reliance on foreign labor. "It’s essential to establish structures to better train and support our local grafters," she explains.

In 2020, the number of producers dropped by 80 compared to 2018. Yet, despite the challenges, industry professionals remain optimistic. They are actively seeking solutions to revitalize this vital industry for Polynesia and hope for a brighter future for the "black gold of the sea."

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.

This celebration of the 60th anniversary of Tahitian pearl cultivation comes exactly a decade after its 50th anniversary was observed in Paris, now rightfully honored in its homeland.

A Festival of Culture and Commerce

Supported by a 3 million Fcfp government grant, the event transcends traditional trade shows, positioning itself as:

A living archive of pearl heritage

A creative laboratory for artisans

A global platform for industry dialogue

FPPF President Marcelle Howard emphasized the gem's unique status: "Tahitian pearls represent France's only organic gemstone – a Polynesian treasure that demands protection and promotion."

Creative Showcase Highlights

Under the federation's motto "Queen of Pearls and Pearl of Queens", the exhibition features:
Competition Categories:

Fine Jewelry (Joaillerie)

Artisan Jewelry (Artisan bijoutier)

Traditional Craft (Artisan traditionnel)

Notable Participants:

Miliani Création

Temanus Création

Hokahei Pearl

Poe Tahiti

Lycée Saint-Joseph vocational school

Visitors will determine the winning designs through popular vote, with awards presented at the closing ceremony.

Immersive Educational Partnership

The event partners with Moorea's Fare Natura ecomuseum, offering:

VR experiences showcasing Polynesian marine ecosystems

Educational programs connecting pearl culture with ocean conservation

Official Call to Action

Blue Economy Minister Tearii Alpha opened the event with a powerful message: "Climate change and human pressure threaten our lagoons. We must build sustainable value chains and inspire youth to safeguard this legacy – because the future lies in transmission."

Shadow Workforce Revealed

The report highlights systemic challenges in tracking pearl industry employment. Without specific occupational codes distinguishing pearl workers from general aquaculture laborers in official statistics (ISPF), estimates remain unreliable. After excluding shrimp/pisciculture workers, the CTC calculates an annual average of 894 pearl sector jobs from 2015-2019 - a figure deemed grossly inadequate given the scale of operations.

Discrepancies in Employment Data

648 professional card-holding producers were registered in 2020

Only 445 employees formally declared in aquaculture/pearl farming that year

President Fritch's estimate of 2,500-3,000 actual jobs underscores the gap

Alarming Labor Conditions

Over 50% of workers lack employment contracts or social protections, a situation authorities acknowledge but have failed to rectify. The CTC urgently recommends:

Immediate creation of a specialized pearl worker classification

Mandatory 2021 action plan against undeclared labor

Enhanced sector transparency measures

"This isn't just about fraud prevention - it's about protecting vulnerable workers and legitimizing our signature industry," the report emphasizes. As Polynesia's pearl sector celebrates its 60th anniversary, these findings demand urgent governmental response to safeguard both workers and the industry's international reputation.

As Tahitian cultured pearls mark their 60th anniversary this week at the Poe Ma'ohi trade show at Hilton Tahiti, the CTC's detailed report (covering 2015-2021) highlights the sector's growing difficulties. While pearl farming remains French Polynesia's top local export (generating 8.6 billion Fcfp in 2014), revenues plummeted to 2.5 billion Fcfp in 2020 amid a severe economic crisis. The industry's systemic issues can no longer be ignored.

The report traces pearl farming's turbulent history: from its 1980s boom to the 1990s virus-induced crash, followed by a recovery peaking in 1999. Since that zenith, the sector has faced relentless decline, with export prices per gram collapsing from 1,710 Fcfp in 2000 to 472 Fcfp in 2019.

The 2017 reform—spearheaded by President Édouard Fritch's government to shift from mass production to quality-focused output—has largely failed. Production quotas set in 2021 proved ineffective, public water concessions were allocated haphazardly, and one-third of producers (holding 1,300 hectares) have been inactive since 2017. The transfer of responsibilities to industry professionals and governance changes were similarly unsuccessful.

Environmental damage from pearl farming poses another critical concern, with waste accumulating for 40 years across pearl-producing islands. Takaroa and Takapoto lagoons have suffered particularly severe degradation, requiring costly remediation.

The CTC urges immediate action, recommending seven specific measures for 2021. President Fritch has pledged to launch a new sectoral policy by year-end, incorporating these recommendations. As Tahiti celebrates six decades of pearl cultivation, the industry now faces an urgent overhaul to ensure its survival and ecological sustainability.