The latest information on pearl farming in Tahiti

A 70-year-old retiree, a former OPT employee, was sentenced to three years in prison, including six months without suspension, for illegally purchasing pearls without the required dealer’s license. His accomplice, an experienced jeweler, received a six-month suspended sentence for receiving stolen goods.

Between December 2018 and February 2019, the retiree had acquired several batches of pearls worth over 20 million Fcfp (XPF) from Polynesian producers. Tempted by a previous highly profitable investment, he ventured into the pearl trade without authorization, using deceptive tactics: promises of bank transfers that never materialized, partial cash payments, fake transfer orders, and even involving an accomplice on the phone to reassure sellers.

These fraudulent maneuvers left several pearl farmers in financial distress, with some unable to afford their children’s schooling. Meanwhile, the Chinese merchant, active in the sector for years, was found guilty of purchasing pearls from this fake dealer without verifying the legality of his operations.

The prosecutor denounced the case as the "tip of the iceberg," referring to a parallel market that is difficult to regulate. The court ordered joint restitution of over 18 million Fcfp to the victims.

At just 30 years old, this aquaculture and environmental engineer stands out for her commitment to more sustainable aquaculture practices.

Margaux first discovered her passion for the ocean at the age of nine, while living in Vanuatu. This calling led her to pursue studies in aquaculture, eventually earning a degree in food and agronomic engineering. Today, she applies her expertise to French Polynesia, focusing her research on reducing the environmental footprint of pearl farming.

In her doctoral thesis at the University of French Polynesia, she highlights a concerning reality: pearl farming generates approximately 1,600 tons of plastic waste annually. Working with the Marine Resources Department (DRM), she is developing a code of best practices and exploring concrete solutions—such as biodegradable collectors made from biomaterials, in collaboration with a New Zealand research institute.

Driven by a scientific and ecological vision, Margaux Crusot aims to raise awareness among local institutions about the urgent need to better manage plastic waste from the pearl industry. Through her work, she is paving the way for an eco-conscious pearl farming sector rooted in sustainability.