A mission to restore the prestige of Tahiti’s black pearl oyster shells: This is the goal of Econacre, a study launched in 2019 by the Directorate of Marine Resources and recently presented to pearl industry professionals.
The concept? To unlock the full economic potential of mother-of-pearl beyond pearl cultivation—creating new jobs and business opportunities from this underutilized resource.
During a workshop, pearl farmers, artisans, researchers, bankers, and entrepreneurs discussed the study’s findings and emerging opportunities. Currently, both oyster shells and flesh remain undervalued, even as the global black pearl market experiences renewed growth.
In the past, wild pearl oyster shells could reach up to 37 cm. But intensive pearl farming has pushed traditional shell harvesting aside, leaving artisans without quality raw materials.
The Econacre study outlines two development pathways:
1️⃣ Local focus: Leveraging existing resources and techniques for immediate economic impact, particularly by repurposing shells from pearl farming
2️⃣ Global ambition: Creating high-value international supply chains
For Cédrik Lo, pearl farming project manager, preserving traditional craftsmanship while adapting to local realities is key—a vision combining lagoon conservation, job creation, and skill development across the islands.
Identified opportunities include:
• Enhancing oyster farming and processing
• Expanding mother-of-pearl handicrafts
• Developing the korori (oyster flesh) industry
• Diversifying into agriculture, animal feed, and construction materials
The Directorate is now supporting pilot projects to implement these initiatives. For context, nearly 1,700 tons of empty Pinctada margaritifera shells were exported in 2018, generating 210 million Fcfp—proof of an untapped economic opportunity.
The time has come to transform this overlooked resource into a driver of sustainable development.
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