Customs officials at Papeete Port have intercepted 108kg of prohibited pearl nuclei intended for oyster grafting—the fifth such seizure in six months, bringing the total confiscated to 543kg. This rigorous enforcement underscores the critical importance of nuclei quality control for French Polynesia’s pearl sector.
The seized giant clam nuclei produce low-quality, commercially worthless pearls incapable of proper nacre development. Their use violates Decree 1240/CM (August 30, 2007) governing authorized nuclei standards. These five seizures represent approximately 435,000 banned nuclei that could have severely damaged Tahitian pearls’ premium international reputation.
At the Marine Resources Ministry’s request, customs authorities have strengthened inspections covering:
✔ Imported nuclei
✔ Domestic pearl circulation
✔ Export shipments
Advanced material identification technologies now support these controls through close customs-marine resources collaboration. The repeated interventions demonstrate Polynesia’s commitment to:
- Protecting its US$167M pearl industry
- Maintaining “Tahitian Pearl” brand integrity
- Complying with international environmental conventions
“Each confiscation preserves both our economic lifeline and marine biodiversity,” stated a customs spokesperson. With nuclei fraud evolving, authorities vow to intensify surveillance ahead of the key September export season.
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