Author: Sandrine

Temauri Foster Unveils a Strengthened Oversight Framework
A Structural Reform for the Pearl Sector

On Wednesday, Minister of Marine Resources Temauri Foster submitted a bold new bill to the Council of Ministers, aimed at fundamentally restructuring French Polynesia’s pearl industry. Developed in close collaboration with professionals in the sector, the proposal is a key element of the government’s broader reorganization plan.

Main Objectives:
🔹 Combat fraud and parallel markets
🔹 Restore the value of Tahitian pearls
🔹 Protect the interests of local pearl farmers

Key Measures of the Bill

The legislation introduces six major reforms:

1️⃣ Mandatory Quality Control
→ All production must be certified before it can be sold

2️⃣ Strict Regulation of Proxies
→ Securing pearl deposit and withdrawal processes

3️⃣ Enhanced Traceability
→ Mandatory reporting of:
• Exact weight of pearl lots
• Number of pearls
• Sale price (local and export markets)

4️⃣ Extension of Controls to Jewelry
→ Mandatory certification for any item containing more than 5 pearls

5️⃣ Deterrent Sanctions
→ Permanent revocation of professional licenses for offenders

6️⃣ Stricter Criminal Penalties
→ Harsher sentences for trafficking offenses

A Critical Complementary Measure

This legislative proposal is paired with the recent tightening of airport controls at Faa’a, forming a comprehensive oversight system:
✔ Upstream: Production certification
✔ Downstream: Export surveillance

“These measures will allow us to sustainably clean up the market and restore the value of our black gold,” stated Minister Foster.

Economic Outlook

Industry stakeholders are optimistic:
📈 A significant rebound in prices
💰 Better earnings for producers
🌐 Sustained international visibility

The bill, soon to be presented to the Assembly of French Polynesia, could mark a historic turning point for the territory’s leading export industry.

“It is through strict regulation that we will protect the excellence of our pearl,” the minister concluded, noting that the sector provides employment for nearly 5,000 Polynesians.

The Minister of Marine Resources, Temauri Foster, personally visited Tahiti Faa’a International Airport to oversee the rollout of new export control measures targeting the pearl industry.
This initiative is part of a broad restructuring plan aimed at curbing fraud and restoring the value of Tahitian pearls on international markets.

Reinforced Airport Measures

The newly implemented controls include:

✔ Systematic Double Screening
→ Mandatory detection of pearl-containing luggage at both check-in and boarding checkpoints

✔ Additional Equipment
→ Installation of a second X-ray machine dedicated to carry-on baggage

✔ Specialized Personnel
→ Permanent assignment of sworn agents trained specifically in pearl identification

A Comprehensive Security Strategy

These airport controls complement:
🔸 The proposed law requiring quality control before commercialization
🔸 New traceability obligations for producers
🔸 Tougher penalties for fraud

“These strict outbound controls, combined with our upstream reform, will create a virtuous cycle for the entire sector,” explained Minister Foster.

Goals: Quality and Fair Pricing

Industry stakeholders hope the new measures will lead to:
📉 A drastic reduction in smuggling
💎 Better valuation of legal production
💰 A sustainable rebound in international prices

With an estimated 20% of pearls leaving the territory illegally, the ministry projects this system could increase local producers’ profit margins by up to 30%.

The CESC Delivers a Mixed Opinion on the Government’s Proposal

French Polynesia’s pearl sector—long a cornerstone of the local economy—is facing an unprecedented crisis. The reform plan proposed by the government to revive the industry has just been reviewed by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (CESC), revealing key divisions and major stakes.

An Ambitious Regulatory Framework

The proposed reform is built on three main pillars:

✔ Mandatory Quality Control
→ All production must be approved by the Pearl Farming Department before being marketed
→ Harmonization with export control procedures

✔ Tougher Sanctions
→ Increased fines for non-compliance
→ Temporary or permanent suspension of professional licenses

✔ Enhanced Traceability
→ Mandatory declaration of stock and transactions

“These measures aim to eradicate fraudulent practices that have depressed prices over the past three years,” explained a spokesperson for the Ministry.

CESC Reservations: A Mixed Report

The Fong-Cerdini report highlights four major shortcomings:

1️⃣ Data Gap: No reliable inventory of existing pearl stocks
2️⃣ Vague Definition: The label “Tahitian Pearl” remains legally fragile
3️⃣ Insufficient Protection: Risk of counterfeiting on international markets
4️⃣ Border Controls: Systematic checks have been abandoned since 2001

Key Recommendations:
→ Explicit inclusion of serious breaches in the legal text
→ Removal of Customs’ right to settle infractions through transactions
→ Conflict-of-interest prevention mechanisms
→ Reintroduction of border controls

A Tense Vote at the CESC

The favorable opinion passed by a narrow margin:
✅ 17 votes in favor
❌ 16 against
➖ 2 abstentions

“This bill is necessary but still needs improvement,” summarized one CESC member, while an opponent criticized it as “a half-measured reform.”