The Pearl Farming Forum, organized by the Ministry of Primary Resource Development, Land Affairs, Domain Enhancement and Mining, opened its doors, bringing together all sector stakeholders for collective reflection on the future of the pearl industry in French Polynesia.
This event, marking a key moment for local pearl farming, focuses on three major themes:
- Promotion of Tahitian cultured pearls
- Environmental protection
- Improvement of grafting techniques
Spanning two days, the forum enabled various participants – producers, decision-makers and scientists – to share their perspectives before an engaged audience. Discussions revolved around three main axes:
- Enhancing the value of Tahitian cultured pearls
- Strategies for sustainable and environmentally-friendly pearl farming
- New grafting techniques to improve pearl quality
Minister of Primary Resource Development Tearii Alpha opened the forum by emphasizing the importance of pearl farming strategy, calling for concerted collaboration to achieve common goals. He stressed the need to protect lagoons as a prerequisite for establishing eco-responsible pearl farming. The government strategy focuses on quality production while preserving ecosystems, maintaining genetic diversity, regulating hatcheries, improving commercialization organization, and creating a certification label for this approach.
Pearl quality was also central to discussions, particularly nucleus monitoring as a crucial production element. Tearii Alpha reiterated that pearl quality directly depends on nucleus quality – a fundamental point for ensuring industry sustainability.
Pearl exports declined by 14.4% in volume and 12.9% in value in 2016 according to the Overseas Issuing Institute (IEOM). However, Tearii Alpha contextualized these figures, noting that despite this decrease, Tahitian pearls remain French Polynesia’s second largest export resource, representing 35% of export revenue, just behind tourism.
Finally, the 2017 law regulating pearl and mother-of-pearl activities was highlighted. It aims to improve product traceability and establish production quotas per hectare. This legislation intends to ensure stricter sector management from production to export, guaranteeing sustainable and lasting growth for the pearl industry.
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