GAMBIER AND ‘OPUNOHU, FRENCH POLYNESIA

In French Polynesia, RESCCUE studied the feasibility of economic and financial mechanisms to support sustainable pearl farming in the Gambier Islands and
sustainable agriculture in ‘Opunohu. Seven types of mechanisms were investigated, ranging from ecolabels and conditional subsidies to fees and taxes.
Several of them were deemed both feasible and appropriate by relevant authorities.  However, the short project timeframe and local political agendas have not yet allowed significant implementation. A “circular economy" reward system for out-of-use plastics from pearl farming was successfully tested. Several other mechanisms still have strong implementation potential in the coming years should the Agriculture and Marine Resources  Department decide so. 

In addition, RESCCUE defined the modalities to revise the existing user fee for domestic waste management in the Gambier and to implement user fees for moorings and sailboats management in both the Gambier and Moorea.