Philippines busts haul of giant clam shells
The Philippine authorities have seized 336 giant clam shell pieces buried in the shorelines of Bugsuk island in Palawan province.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine authorities have seized 336 giant clam shell pieces buried
in the shorelines of Bugsuk island in Palawan province.
The pieces are worth about 8.1 million PHP (145,000 USD).
As reported by AFP, Jovic Fabello, a spokesman for the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, said the shell trade has become a substitute for the ivory trade following widespread bans on the trade of elephant tusks.
Giant clams, including Tridacna gigas, which may grow to 1.5 metres in diameter and weigh more than 200 kilogrammes, are a protected species in the Philippines. They play a key role as food, shelter and building blocks in coral reef ecosystems where fish populations spawn.
A study released last year by the group Traffic, which monitors the illegal global trade of protected species, found the Philippines seized more than 121,000 tonnes of giant clams between 2003 and 2022, accounting for 99.8% of giant clams seized in trafficking incidents in Southeast Asia during that time./.
The pieces are worth about 8.1 million PHP (145,000 USD).
As reported by AFP, Jovic Fabello, a spokesman for the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, said the shell trade has become a substitute for the ivory trade following widespread bans on the trade of elephant tusks.
Giant clams, including Tridacna gigas, which may grow to 1.5 metres in diameter and weigh more than 200 kilogrammes, are a protected species in the Philippines. They play a key role as food, shelter and building blocks in coral reef ecosystems where fish populations spawn.
A study released last year by the group Traffic, which monitors the illegal global trade of protected species, found the Philippines seized more than 121,000 tonnes of giant clams between 2003 and 2022, accounting for 99.8% of giant clams seized in trafficking incidents in Southeast Asia during that time./.
You should also see
All-out efforts needed to get IUU yellow card removed: Minister
Competent ministries, sectors and localities should continue efforts to lift the European Commission’s “yellow card” against the Vietnamese seafood products for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as an inspection team of the commission will visit Vietnam soon, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan.
See more
World
Thai central bank intervenes to stabilise currency
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) said it has intervened in currency markets at times to ease any excessive moves in the THB, adding that the current policy rate is robust and conducive to economic recovery, reported the Bangkok Post.
World
Vietnam appeals for maximum self-restraint, end to hostilities in Middle East
A representative of Vietnam appealed to all the parties concerned to exercise maximum self-restraint and to end hostilities, while addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the Middle East and Palestine situation on March 25.
World
Indonesia’s coffee exports surpass imports
Indonesia’s coffee exports have surpassed imports for 47 consecutive months since May 2020, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has reported.
World
Thailand expects wave of tourists during Golden Week
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that about 996,000 foreign tourists will visit the Southeast Asian country between April 26 and May 5, known as the Golden Week holidays in Japan, during which Chinese tourists also prefer to travel overseas.
World
Argentinian media praises Dien Bien Phu Victory
Argentinian newspapers have called Vietnam's Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954) a symbol of the national liberation movement of oppressed and colonialised peoples worldwide.
