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.
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