AROUND 300 fossilized giant clamshells with a combined weight of about 3,000 kilograms were recovered along the shores of Dipulonggit Island in Palawan.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Wednesday that Coast Guard District Palawan and other law enforcement authorities found the giant clamshells, locally known as "taklobo," concealed by nets on April 4 in Concepcion village in the town of Busuanga.

The PCG said prompt action was immediately taken following this operation by entrusting the confiscated clamshells to the custody of the local government of Concepcion for safekeeping and proper disposition.

On the other hand, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Wildlife Enforcement Office in Coron has initiated a thorough investigation into the illegal activity.

Although it considers the operation as another significant milestone in marine life conservation, the PCG said the discovery of the fossilized giant clamshells signals a "concerning trend."

Last February, at least 336 pieces of taklobo worth P8.1 million were recovered at the shoreline of nearby Sebaring village in the town of Balabac also in Palawan during a joint law enforcement operation led by the PCG.

Based on intelligence reports, the giant clams are being stocked and hidden at the shoreline of Sebaring village.

The recovered clams were turned over to the local government of Sebaring for custody.

Harvesting, selling, purchasing, transporting, exporting or possessing giant clams is prohibited under Republic Act 10654, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

The giant clam is listed as among endangered species under Fisheries Administrative Order 208 for the conservation of rare, threatened and endangered fishery species.

Individuals caught violating the law may be held administratively liable and fined up to three times the value of the species, or P300,000 to P3 million.

Violators may also face imprisonment for five to eight years.

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