Philippine Authorities Seize Giant Clams After Discovering $25 Million Of Illegally Harvested Shells

Authorities in the Philippines have arrested four suspects for illegally harvesting almost $25 million worth of giant clams in Palawan.

The ecologically protected province is an area frequented by poachers and was raided on Friday, The Guardian reports. The bust of 200 tonnes of the creatures marks the largest giant clam shell takedown by authorities in the area.

The coast guard believes the clams that were seized were worth an estimated $24.8 million. This surpassed the record high record of 80 tonnes of giant clam shells that were confiscated from Johnson Island last month and worth $3.3 million.

Among some of the species seized was the world’s largest clam, the Tridacna gigas. The giant clams can weigh up to 550 pounds and grow up to 4.5 feet wide. The species also contains marine algae, which is a basic food source of fish that are eaten by humans.

The interest in the endangered species has risen since restrictions have been put in place to protect elephants from being hunted for their ivory tusks. As a result, giant clam shells have been used as an ivory substitute to meet demands.

Jovic Fabello, a spokesperson for the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, revealed people who illegally harvest giant clams can face severe legal consequences.

“Taking the giant clams from their natural habitat is a form of intergenerational crime,” Fabello said in a statement.

“It will permanently affect the marine ecosystem and future generations will be deprived of the benefits accruing from it,” he added.

Those who are caught killing an endangered species in the Philippines can face up to a million pesos in fines and 12 years in prison under the country’s wildlife protection act.