Currently, more than 500 concessions of public maritime domain are allocated to pearl farms in French Polynesia, mainly concentrated in the Tuamotu, with Ahe and Manihi standing out as major hubs of this activity.

The lagoon of Ahe alone had 80 pearl farm concessions as of May 2012, although uncertainties remain regarding actual production levels despite strict criteria for obtaining, extending, or renewing these permits every five years.

To clarify the situation, the Ministry of Marine Resources has announced its intention to soon launch a moratorium on temporary occupation permits for maritime space for pearl farming purposes.
This decision, communicated after the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday by government spokesperson Marcel Tuihani, aims to review existing concessions, assess their actual use, and ensure their compliance with current agreements.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish a comprehensive assessment of the pearl industry in Polynesia, with the goal of developing a more coherent growth strategy.
According to data from the Pearl Farming Service of the Directorate of Marine Resources, by the end of 2011, 9,720 hectares of lagoon were being used for pearl farming — a figure close to the authorized quota of 10,000 hectares across the entire territory.

Although the raw Tahitian pearl remains the driving force of the country’s exports, concerns persist, particularly due to declining quality and the proliferation of producers — factors that have contributed to the recent crisis in the pearl industry.
This situation calls for constant monitoring and strategic adjustments to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.