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%.
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