A wave of alarm has swept through Takume’s lagoon. On Thursday evening, a sample of suspicious oysters—illegally dumped on September 9—was received in Tahiti by bailiff Maître Elie for analysis by IFREMER. The action was initiated by pearl farmer Tavivi and his cousin Teiva Manutahi, who also filed a complaint with the public prosecutor.
After a three-hour wait at Faa’a International Airport, the two men retrieved a cooler containing potentially contaminated oysters, which had been transferred without authorization from Raroia. Upon inspection, Maître Elie broke the seals, revealing a strong foul odor and visible abnormalities on the shells.
Teiva Manutahi condemned the threat to Takume’s lagoon and the entire local pearl industry. He stated this was the first time in thirty years that diseased oysters had been observed in the lagoon—a situation professionals deem alarming.
The oysters displayed unusual black spots and concerning deformities. Faced with these clear signs of disease, Tavivi stressed the need for reliable scientific results from IFREMER to substantiate their claims and trigger appropriate legal action.
The pearl farmers’ efforts aim not only to protect their environment but also to raise public awareness about the dangers of uncontrolled introductions into fragile ecosystems. The case now hinges on lab results and potential intervention by the prosecutor.
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