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.
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