PALAWAN, Philippines — Philippine authorities on Saturday said they have seized some 200 tons of fossilized giant clam shells, locally known as “Taklobo” worth nearly Php 1.2 billion in one of the biggest known operations of its kind in the country.
Conservationists have expressed alarm over the surging illicit trade in the endangered creatures, which are used as a substitute for ivory following a global crackdown in the trade of elephant tusks.The Philippines is home to most of the world’s giant tropical clam species, and Friday’s raid took place in the western province of Palawan, considered a poaching hotbed.
Philippine Coast guard District Palawan Commander Commodore Genito Basilio said the incident can be considered as the biggest giant clam shell haul in the province.
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.
Authorities arrested four suspects namely 54-year-old Rey Cuyos, 48-year-old Rodolfo Rabesa, 47-year-old Julius Molejoa, and 40-year-old Erwin Miagao for potential violation of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
“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.”
“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.
Growing up to 1.3 metres wide and weighing up to 250kg, these host marine algae which are a basic food source for many of the fish species consumed by humans.
Conservationists say giant clam shells are used as an alternative material for products ranging from earrings to chandeliers as ivory becomes scarce.
Fabello said the illegal trade in giant clams has been growing in Palawan and several other areas of the Philippines in the past three years.
Killing endangered species is punishable by up to 12 years in prison and fines of up to 1 million pesos under the country’s wildlife protection act.
“These people are digging up giant clams and killing them,” Fabello alleged.
The coast guard estimated the value of the latest haul at 1.2 billion pesos.
It dwarfed the previous Palawan record of 80 tonnes of giant clam shells worth US$3.3 million that were seized early last month from Johnson Island, also near the venue of Friday’s raid.