Category: Research

What if pearl oysters could monitor the health of lagoons? This is the bold vision behind Molluscan Eye, a startup founded by a former researcher that merges marine biology with cutting-edge technology. In January, the company made waves at CES in Las Vegas with its innovative environmental monitoring solution.

The concept? Equipping pearl oysters with smart sensors capable of measuring water quality in real time. These systems are currently deployed across the Tuamotu Archipelago—including the atolls of Takaroa and Takapoto—as well as in other regions worldwide, from the Arctic to New Caledonia.

Jean-Charles Massabuau, co-founder of the startup, explains: “We suspend a cage containing oysters in the lagoon. One electronic board collects the mollusks’ reactions, while another transmits the data via the mobile network.” This information, analyzed remotely, enables continuous, real-time ecosystem monitoring—far more efficient than traditional methods.

Molluscan Eye’s technology stands out for its simplicity and practicality. “What struck people at CES was that we’re offering a tool that addresses a real need. And the most surprising part? Some are just realizing that water can be polluted!” Massabuau remarks.

By using oysters as bio-indicators, Molluscan Eye pioneers a new form of environmental surveillance—more precise, more responsive, and potentially vital for the future of Polynesia’s lagoons.

Molluscan Eye Website

At just 30 years old, Margaux Crusot, a marine ecology doctoral graduate from the University of French Polynesia, embodies the future of science in service of the environment.
A recipient of the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents award, she stands out for a major innovation set to sustainably transform Polynesia’s pearl farming industry.

For the past five years, the young researcher has focused on a critical challenge: reducing the environmental impact of pearl oyster collection, where traditional methods threaten lagoon ecosystems. For over 40 years, ombrière-style collectors—made of plastic—have been releasing microplastics and toxic compounds, degrading seabeds.

After conducting field studies in the Gambier, Arutua, and Takapoto archipelagos, Margaux Crusot delivered a stark finding: pearl farming generates over 1,600 tons of plastic waste annually. From this diagnosis emerged a groundbreaking solution: the first fully biodegradable spat collectors made from bio-based materials.

Using 3D printing, Margaux developed the first lab prototypes before collaborating with a materials specialist and a Tahitian manufacturer to scale up production. Now patented, this eco-friendly collector has already been deployed in natural environments for testing, laying the groundwork for a tangible shift toward sustainable pearl farming.

Margaux’s innovation goes beyond technology—it represents a paradigm shift for the entire industry. Her ambition? To see these new collectors gradually replace polluting devices, empowering pearl farmers to protect their lagoons while securing their livelihoods.

With this international award, Margaux Crusot gains visibility and credibility. Her project, bridging science, industry, and ecology, reflects a deep commitment to an environmentally respectful future—and cements her status as a pioneer of reinvented pearl farming.

(Note: “Ombrière” refers to shade-structure collectors traditionally used in pearl farming. Retained in italics for technical accuracy.)

On October 11, Margaux Crusot, a researcher at the University of French Polynesia, will receive the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Award. 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.

In pearl farming, the widespread use of plastic ropes—often degraded over time—poses a serious environmental threat and compromises pearl quality. To address this ecological challenge, the local company Polyacht, led by Benoit Parnaudeau, has launched Cocorig, an innovative project aiming to replace polluting plastic ropes with natural alternatives made from coconut fiber.

Parnaudeau highlights the devastating impact of plastic pollution in the ocean and the urgent need for sustainable solutions in pearl farming. Inspired by traditional techniques, Cocorig seeks to revive the use of “nape”—a traditional Polynesian natural fiber rope. The challenge lies in enhancing the material’s durability to withstand marine conditions while maintaining its eco-friendly integrity.

A finalist in the 2020 Tech4islands competition, Cocorig gained significant attention during the Tech4islands Summit last October, showcasing its potential to transform the local industry. The project also receives support from the PROTEGE program (Marine Resources Department and the Pacific Community), which funds research to improve coconut fiber rope quality.

Currently, Cocorig is developing a sustainable supply chain to utilize coconut husk—an underused local resource. While specialized machinery is still needed to scale production, the first rope prototypes are expected by March, with official product presentations to the Pacific community planned for September.

This promising initiative could not only enhance the sustainability of pearl farming but also foster an innovative, eco-conscious local industry.

The innovative project launched by Kotuku Fakarava, a company based in Fakarava, is a striking example of sustainable valorization of waste from pearl farming—specifically, pearl oyster shells.
This initiative, focused on transforming discarded shells into calcium soil amendments, opens promising prospects for local agriculture and reducing reliance on imports.

The Process of Valorizing Oyster Shells

The method developed by Kotuku Fakarava to convert shells into a useful agricultural product involves several key steps:

1. Fine Grinding of Shells – The shells are first crushed into a fine powder, rich in calcium, an essential nutrient for soil health.
2. Screening – The powder is then sifted to achieve a fine, uniform texture, ideal for soil amendment.
3. Use as a Calcium Amendment – This powder is applied to neutralize soil acidity, a common issue in French Polynesia, where acidic soils can reduce crop yields. The oyster shell powder offers a local, sustainable alternative to imported fertilizers.

Benefits for Local Agriculture

Agricultural soils in Polynesia often suffer from excessive acidity, limiting crop productivity. The calcium amendment derived from oyster shells could provide several advantages:

• Improved soil structure, promoting better plant growth,
• Reduced dependence on imported products, enhancing regional food self-sufficiency,
• A local, eco-friendly, and sustainable solution.

Testing Phase and Promising Results

The project is currently in the experimental phase across several agricultural sites, including the Moorea Agricultural High School. Early results indicate that the oyster shell-based amendment is as effective—if not superior—to traditional imported products used for soil pH correction. This could revolutionize the supply of agricultural inputs in Polynesia.

Other Potential Applications

Beyond soil amendment, the project is exploring additional uses for oyster shells:

• Poultry Farming – Coarser shell fragments can serve as a calcium supplement in poultry feed.
• Innovative Concrete Production – A study is underway to test the use of shells in construction materials, which are in high demand for local building projects.

Economic and Environmental Prospects

This initiative aligns with a growing trend in French Polynesia to better utilize pearl farming byproducts, particularly mother-of-pearl, in order to:

• Develop a local industry around waste transformation,
• Reduce dependence on imported equivalents (such as calcium amendments),
• Create local economic opportunities while supporting sustainable agriculture and livestock farming.

This project could also inspire other stakeholders to explore new ways of valorizing pearl farming byproducts, contributing to a more circular and sustainable economic model for the region.

Two groundbreaking studies published in March by Ifremer have unveiled the secrets behind the iconic hues of French Polynesia’s black pearls, offering new hope for an industry facing economic challenges.

Conducted under the Ameligen scientific program with Criobe, private stakeholders, and local authorities, these DRM-funded studies provide crucial insights into improving pearl quality while reducing production volumes.

The Genetics of Color: Yellow, Green & Red
The March 15th study decoded the genetic basis of pearl coloration by analyzing pigments in donor oyster shells. Key findings:

• 7 genes linked to yellow shells
• 19 genes for green shells
• 24 genes for red shells

These base colors—when combined with black or albino nacre—directly determine a pearl’s final shade. This breakthrough could enable more consistent color production, enhancing market value.

Depth as a Color Amplifier
The March 19th study revealed how environmental factors, particularly farming depth, intensify hues. Researchers observed:

• Epigenetic modifications in deep-water oysters
• Darker pearls with richer luster (highly prized by buyers)

Industry Implications
These discoveries allow:
✔️ Precision control of cultivation conditions
✔️ Strategic repositioning in global markets
✔️ Reduced production waste

For a sector still recovering from pandemic-related export declines, this research lights the way toward sustainable revitalization of Polynesia’s pearl industry.

This afternoon, French Polynesia’s Vice President and Minister of the Blue Economy, Teva Rohfritsch, signed a co-ownership agreement with University of French Polynesia President Patrick Capolsini to commercialize the MAIAO software patent.

The software, officially named “Automatic Measurement of Nacre Thickness by X-ray” (MAIAO), represents years of collaboration between the Marine Resources Department (DRM) and the University’s research team.

Currently operational in DRM’s pearl quality control unit, MAIAO automates nacre thickness measurement using X-ray images – a breakthrough developed through a PhD student’s three-year research project.

Key innovation:
• Eliminates subjectivity in manual measurements previously conducted by X-ray image analysts
• Delivers precise, standardized pearl evaluations
• Enhances quality control for Polynesia’s signature export

“MAIAO ensures objective, consistent quality assessment – crucial for maintaining our pearls’ premium positioning,” emphasized University President Capolsini during the signing ceremony.

The agreement formalizes joint stewardship of this intellectual property, marking a strategic step in modernizing Polynesia’s pearl sector through academic-government partnership.

After three years of intensive research on the genetic heritage of the Pinctada margaritifera pearl oyster, doctoral candidate Pierre-Louis Stenger has unlocked the secrets behind Polynesian pearls’ dazzling color palette. His thesis, successfully defended at the Pacific Doctoral School, sheds groundbreaking scientific light on this iconic gem of French Polynesia.

Titled “Diversity and Chromatic Plasticity in the Pearl Oyster Pinctada margaritifera,” the defense took place on the Outumaoro campus before an engaged audience and a jury impressed by the study’s rigor. For over three hours, Stenger presented his findings, validating a research project now hailed as a major breakthrough for the pearl industry.

The newly minted PhD researcher meticulously analyzed the mechanisms behind pigment formation in pearl oyster shells, focusing on three key colors: red, yellow, and green. Using a combination of transcriptomic, genomic, and epigenomic approaches, he identified the key genes responsible for coloration and the environmental factors influencing their expression.

His work has uncovered valuable genetic markers for selecting oysters with superior aesthetic traits—a discovery that researchers say could eventually lead to more beautiful, uniform pearls without genetic modification.

One of the most striking findings concerns the dominance of the red phenotype, unique to Polynesian pearl oysters, making this chromatic diversity a globally unmatched genetic asset. Now better understood, this trait could become a major commercial advantage for pearl farmers.

Cédrik Lo, head of research programs at the Marine Resources Department, praised this scientific leap. He emphasized that these studies are part of a long-term strategy to enhance local pearl production—bridging fundamental science and commercial breeding, with support from private hatcheries.

Now a recognized expert, Pierre-Louis Stenger will contribute to three new studies on pearl oysters starting next year, continuing his quest to reshape the future of Polynesian pearl farming through science.

On the occasion of Science Week, Ifremer invites the public to an open house this Saturday, October 5, at its laboratories in Vairao.

A fascinating dive into the behind-the-scenes of Polynesian marine research, where visitors can discover the institute’s groundbreaking work on pearl oysters, blue shrimp, paraha peue (Polynesian flounder), giant clams, and many other marine treasures.

A global leader in pearl oyster research, the French Institute for Ocean Science outshines even Australian, Chinese, and Japanese references. “Our publications shine internationally,” proudly states Gilles Le Moullac, head of the Marine Resources Unit. “We collaborate with researchers worldwide, and our influence is recognized in top scientific journals.”

Beyond pearl farming, Ifremer excels in many key areas: blue shrimp farming, paraha peue research, studying giant clams in the face of climate change, and much more. A day to engage with scientists and explore the mysteries of Polynesian lagoons.

Practical info: Free admission from 8:30 AM to 3 PM in Vairao (PK 13 from Taravao, ocean side). A large sign marks the institute. Numerous workshops will be hosted by Ifremer, the Marine Resources Department, and IRSN. Children can even participate in an educational scavenger hunt with prizes.

Ifremer at a glance: Founded in 1972 as CNEXO, the institute merged in 1984 to become Ifremer. Today, it conducts globally recognized ocean research and plays a key role in Polynesian aquaculture—pearls, fish, shrimp. With 36 permanent staff, civic service volunteers, and PhD students, it works in synergy with Criobe, the University, IRD, and Institut Malardé.

A tangible impact on daily life:

• Blue shrimp: The result of 20 years of research in the 1980s, now preserved by the government through a broodstock conservation program.
• Paraha peue: Closely monitored by Ifremer, which helps master its reproduction and investigates a mysterious disease.
• Pearl oyster: Since the 1980s, Ifremer has played a crucial role in understanding this iconic species, aiding in pearl farm development and concession planning.
• Algal blooms: A concerning phenomenon emerging over the past six years, sometimes deadly to oysters. Ifremer works hand-in-hand with Institut Malardé to analyze their origin.
• Giant clams: In collaboration with UPF, a research program has been assessing the effects of climate change on this reef keystone species for four and a half years.

With four decades of commitment, Ifremer stands as a pillar of applied research in Polynesia, shedding light on the present and future challenges facing our lagoons.

A major scientific breakthrough has emerged from close collaboration between French researchers and Polynesian pearl farmers. After three years of research, they have developed a revolutionary technique called Luminapearl, enabling the marking and certification of pearl origin and quality. This innovation could play a key role in safeguarding the international reputation of Tahitian Pearls.

A Solution to Global Market Confusion

Faced with frequent market mix-ups where Polynesian pearls are blended with pearls from other Pacific regions, the GIE Toa Rava, led by Marcelle Howard, initiated a partnership with the Monaco Gem Lab and the Lumière Matière Institute (University of Lyon 1). Together, they developed Luminapearl, an innovative marking method.

From Concept to Reality

The project began in 2011 when Marcelle Howard, during an international training session on Tahitian pearls, caught the attention of two gemologists from Nice. This encounter sparked the idea of creating a process to authenticate Polynesian pearls and distinguish them on the global market. After years of experimentation, they patented a solution using luminescent markers applied to the pearl’s surface—invisible to the naked eye but detectable with specialized equipment.

How Luminapearl Works

The process involves immersing pearls in a bath containing luminescent elements that adhere to a few micrometers of their surface. Undetectable in normal use, these markings resist seawater, chemicals, and handling. A specialized reader then deciphers these discreet signatures, providing jewelers and wholesalers with a reliable way to verify a pearl’s origin and quality.

Protecting Tahiti’s Pearl Legacy

Marcelle Howard emphasizes the importance of this advancement in an era where Tahitian pearls’ reputation is threatened by lower-grade or artificially dyed imitations. Luminapearl ensures better distinction and offers consumers an additional guarantee of authenticity.

The marking cost is minimal and could easily be incorporated into the final pearl price. Researchers believe this innovation will provide essential trust to international buyers increasingly wary of counterfeits. Currently, the technology can indicate:

• Tahitian origin
• Year of marking
• Pearl quality

Industry Experts Weigh In

Professor Gérard Panczer (Director, Lumière Matière Institute) and Alain Caussinus (Director, Monaco Gem Lab) highlight that Luminapearl is a game-changer for Polynesia’s pearl industry. Each pearl can now be authenticated, preventing fraud through dyeing or mixing. The required detection device—a compact spectrometer priced around €2,000—is affordable for major industry players.

Future Developments

While Luminapearl marks a major leap in combating fraud and preserving Tahitian pearls’ authenticity, researchers acknowledge that further developments will expand the range of possible markings.

This innovation not only protects but also enhances the prestige of Tahitian pearls, ensuring their place as a luxury commodity in global markets.