Cebu City Vet seizes smuggled giant clams

Cebu City's Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) on 13 December confiscated 24 kilos of endangered giant clams allegedly smuggled from Masbate.

DVMF chief Dr. Alice Utlang told media that the owner of the fish basin which contained the giant clams, locally known as " taklobo", admitted to owning them.

The confiscation occurred during an inspection conducted by DVMF personnel at the Pasil Fish Port Phase 2.

"We would like to inform the public that the giant clam is recognized as an endangered species under Republic Act 10654 or Philippine Fisheries Code, Article 92," said Utlang.

She emphasized that giant clams are a protected species under the law, with their harvesting and trade strictly regulated.

She also noted that the species is considered endangered due to the destructive practice of harvesting their shells, which often causes significant damage to coral reefs.

Giant clams are classified as endangered under Fisheries Administrative Order 208, which seeks to conserve rare, threatened, and endangered fishery species.

The 24.3 kilograms of giant clam meat, excluding the shells, were confiscated from Theon Ezra.

Utlang said violations related to giant clams are punishable by fines ranging from P500,000 to P5 million and imprisonment of five to 10 years.