Philippine authorities seize 200 tonnes of illegally harvested giant clam shells worth almost US$25 million
- Conservationists have expressed alarm over the surging illicit trade in the endangered creatures, which are used as a substitute for ivory
- The Philippines is home to most of the world’s giant tropical clam species. The raid took place in Palawan province, considered a poaching hotbed
Philippine authorities on Saturday said they have seized some 200 tonnes of illegally harvested giant clam shells worth nearly US$25 million in one of the biggest known operations of its kind in the country.
The coastguard said four suspects were arrested on the remote Green Island in the Sulu Sea that turned up the largest ever giant clam shell haul by law enforcers in the area.
“Taking the giant clams from their natural habitat is a form of inter-generational crime,” said Jovic Fabello, spokesman for the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.
“It will permanently affect the marine ecosystem and future generations will be deprived of the benefits accruing from it.”
He said the seized shells included those of the Tridacna gigas, the world’s largest clam.