The Philippines seized 336 giant clam shell pieces worth $145,000 on Bugsuk Island, Palawan province, due to high demand in China and Europe.

The Philippines seized 336 giant clam shell pieces worth 8.1 million pesos ($145,000) on Bugsuk Island in Palawan province, with no arrests made. The illegal trade of giant clam shells continues due to high demand in China and Europe, resulting in a substitute for the ivory trade after bans on elephant tusks. Giant clams, including the Tridacna gigas species, are a protected species in the Philippines and play a vital role in coral reef ecosystems.

February 19, 2024
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