Category: Legislation

Since the June 6th protest organized by the Pearl Professionals Union, hopes for regulatory easing appear futile. Despite a belated response from Marine Resources Minister Temauri Foster, pearl farmers condemn a proposed legislation even more restrictive than the contested 2005-42 deliberation – further fueling industry anger and anxiety.

President Oscar Temaru’s public support during their June 4th meeting has yet to translate into concrete action. Spokesperson Franky Tehaamatai sounds the alarm: “Without intervention, fewer than 100 farms will remain by year’s end.” Their alternative proposal submitted to the minister on June 13th received only an evasive response on June 22nd, citing ongoing administrative review.

Facing this inertia, farmers accuse authorities of contempt and contemplate drastic measures: abolishing the DSPE tax (Specific Duty on Exported Pearls). Tehaamatai reveals this levy severely impacts revenues, sometimes consuming 50% of struggling operators’ turnover.

The Union further demands replacing the current pearl grading system with a binary classification: marketable versus non-marketable pearls. Without swift progress, they threaten to blockade the Pearl Farming Department offices as warned during protests.

Criticism also targets visual/X-ray inspections mandated by deliberation 2005-42. Producers decry arbitrary standards, noting no comparable measures exist in other pearl-producing nations, and condemn unnecessary destruction of quality-compliant pearls.

Tension continues gripping French Polynesia’s pearl sector as this standoff with authorities reaches a critical juncture.

In response to recent statements by pearl industry professionals circulated in the media, the Marine Resources Directorate has sought to provide clarification, reaffirming its commitment to serving the sector and the country with competence and impartiality.

During the May 31st protest, accusations of incompetence, favoritism, and discrimination were leveled against its staff. The Directorate emphasizes that its teams are properly trained and that their inspection equipment is regularly calibrated, ensuring measurement accuracy. Furthermore, precise information has been repeatedly shared with professionals in full transparency.

Regarding disputes, the Directorate notes that counter-examinations are possible: a second X-ray scan is generally sufficient to resolve any doubts, without requiring cutting, which remains an exceptional method.

The current regulations were established through prior consultations with sector stakeholders. Any changes to these rules must result from collective discussion, not public attacks that could be considered slanderous and potentially lead to individual legal action.

Lastly, the Marine Resources Directorate calls on all professionals to overcome divisions and work together to restore the pearl sector’s vitality, based on clear rules shared by all stakeholders.

Faced with unfulfilled promises, several pearl farming GIEs and unions have united under the banner of the Union of Pearl Professionals, now representing over 80% of the sector.

Their first collective action: a determined gathering this Thursday morning in front of the Maison de la Perle, with the clear goal of obtaining the immediate signing of a memorandum of agreement.

At the heart of their demands is the immediate and permanent withdrawal of Deliberation No. 2005-42. This regulation, in force for over ten years, mandates the destruction of pearls deemed usable and has reportedly caused an estimated loss of 6 billion CFP francs in just two years. Frank Tehaamatai, spokesperson for the union, points out that Japan had experimented with a similar measure before abandoning it due to disastrous consequences for its own industry.

According to Tehaamatai, some pearls, though imperfect, could still be utilized, particularly for bracelets or rings. He criticizes the rigidity of current standards, which lead to the destruction of small category A pearls simply because their nacre thickness is less than 0.8 mm. Despite their request for a counter-assessment of the Maison de la Perle’s inspection equipment, their appeal was denied. While an agreement in principle was reached for cutting pearls, no concrete timeline was provided.

“We’ve been strung along for far too long,” Frank Tehaamatai declares. Pearl farmers, typically moderate, are now expressing deep anger. The decline is stark: while there were over 1,000 farms in 2000, only 200 remain today. Exports, which generated 20 billion francs in 2000, are projected to drop to just 6 billion in 2012.

Professionals are demanding immediate and concrete measures to save an industry in crisis, and the repeal of Deliberation No. 2005-42 is seen as an essential step for the survival of their trade.

This Thursday morning, in front of the Maison de la Perle, more than fifty members of the new pearl professionals’ union expressed their discontent by demonstrating against Deliberation No. 2005-42, which they demand be withdrawn immediately.

After lengthy discussions with the minister and the pearl department, and despite the declared support of the government president, no concrete measures have been taken, further fueling the protesters’ frustration.

The contested deliberation, which regulates pearl exports and mandates the destruction of pearls deemed non-compliant, is at the heart of the criticism. Frank Tehaamatai, spokesperson for the movement, denounces a discriminatory system and suspicions of favoritism in processing times and pearl inspections. He cites a recent case of pearls being unjustly rejected before being reinstated after being cut open.

Doubts are growing about the effectiveness of the ministry and the dedicated pearl department. Over 80% of professionals are demanding not only the repeal of the deliberation but also a complete overhaul of the sector’s management, advocating for greater autonomy for industry players.

Frank Tehaamatai laments the lack of responsiveness and initiative from the minister, stating that this mobilization aims to demonstrate the reality of the crisis shaking the pearl industry. If their demands are not heard quickly, professionals warn they may resort to more radical actions to defend the future of their trade.

New Measures Target Fraudulent Nuclei Imports and Illicit Pearl Production

In a decisive move to protect French Polynesia’s pearl industry, Marine Resources Minister Temauri Foster and newly appointed Regional Customs Director Franck Testanière have announced a territory-wide enforcement campaign against illegal pearl farming practices threatening the sector’s integrity.

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Key Enforcement Actions

🔹 Expanded Surveillance

• Airport checks: Enhanced X-ray scanners for detecting plastic nuclei in luggage
• Atoll inspections: Mobile customs units to monitor remote pearl farms

🔹 Nuclei Smuggling Crackdown

• Ban on giant clam nuclei (non-compliant with Polynesian standards)
• Heavy fines for plastic nuclei use (up to 10M XPF/≈€84,000 per violation)

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Why This Matters

💰 Economic Protection

• Tahitian pearls account for 65% of Polynesia’s luxury exports
• Fraudulent practices have depressed prices by 30% since 2015

🌊 Ecological Safeguards

• Illegal nuclei harm oyster survival rates (↓40% with substandard materials)
• Plastic waste from fake nuclei pollutes UNESCO-listed lagoons

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Industry Reactions

“Finally, real teeth behind our regulations,” says Manaarii Z., Rikitea pearl farmer. “This will force buyers to pay fair prices for authentic pearls.”

Customs Director Testanière warns: “We’re deploying sonar-equipped boats to track suspicious atoll activities—no more shadows for smugglers.”

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Beyond Pearls: Fisheries Streamlining

The initiative also pledges to:
✅ Simplify paperwork for longline fishing exports
✅ Create a “Green Channel” for compliant seafood traders

Enhanced controls reinforce protection of “Tahitian Pearl” brand integrity

Papeete, [Date] – Customs officers at Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport conducted rigorous inspections during late April 2024, resulting in multiple seizures of undeclared pearls across both domestic and international terminals.

Key Interceptions

✈ Domestic Terminal (Inter-Archipelago Flights)

• 43,372 loose pearls (81.8kg total weight) confiscated
• Passengers lacked mandatory certificates of origin
• Fines issued to shippers/recipients after compliance procedures

🌎 International Terminal (Los Angeles-Bound Passenger)

• 29 high-value loose pearls seized from carry-on luggage
• Absence of required Pearl Farming Department export documentation
• Passenger faces customs settlement + penalty fees

Why This Matters

🔹 Brand Protection: Safeguards the premium value of certified Tahitian pearls
🔹 Market Regulation: Disrupts grey market channels threatening legal trade
🔹 Quality Assurance: Ensures only traceable, graded pearls enter global markets

“These operations demonstrate our zero-tolerance policy against unauthorized pearl trading,” stated Customs Director [Name]. “Every seized pearl represents protected income for licensed producers.”

Industry Impact

The crackdown aligns with French Polynesia’s 2024-2027 Pearl Sector Strategic Plan, which prioritizes:
✅ Enhanced traceability through digital certification
✅ Stricter export controls at all transit points
✅ International cooperation to combat illicit trade

Passengers are reminded that all pearl exports require:

• Official government-issued certificate
• Prior declaration to customs
• Commercial invoice for valued shipments

Next Steps: Seized pearls will be destroyed under supervision to prevent reintroduction to markets.

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For Travelers: Consult the Maison de la Perle website for export guidelines.

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.”