French Polynesia is currently the world's largest producer of cultured black pearls with exports worth U5$150 millions annually. The activity has become of prime socioeconomic importance the archipelagos with strong support and control of the government. In the mid-1980s, mass mortality of the black-lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margarltlfera, has occurred in several atolls and challenged the development of pearl farming activity. Consequent studies and surveys have described several pathological conditions. None of those is considered to pose significant threat to the industry. However, they are monitored by a surveillance program in order to prevent and control emerging diseases. The government of French Polynesia has developed efforts to maintain high quality of the pearls and sustain demand of the markets. This paper reviews a successful model of development based on proactive policy and cooperation among stakeholders.