Fossilized giant clams worth over P8M discovered beneath Palawan sands

Authorities dig up giant clams on the shores of Balabac, Palawan on February 14, 2024. (Photo from PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD)

MANILA, Philippines — An estimated P8.1 million worth of fossilized giant clam shells buried in the shorelines of Balabac, Palawan have been recovered.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said local authorities retrieved 336 pieces of giant mollusks.

They were found at the shoreline of Barangay Sebaring on February 14.

The shells, locally known as ‘taklobo’ or ‘manlet,’ were discovered “stocked and hidden” beneath the sands.

The taklobos were turned over to the barangay officials for temporary custody.

Harvesting such bivalve mollusks is prohibited under the law.

Under Republic Act No. 10654 or Philippine Fisheries Code, it is illegal to harvest, sell, buy, or transport giant clams.

PCG described the operation as a “significant milestone in marine life conservation.”

In 2022, PCG also hauled a total of 310 pieces or approximately P18 million worth of fossilized giant clam shells in Dumaran, Palawan.

Some 80 tons of giant clams were also recovered from residents in the coastal town of Roxas in the same province in 2021.

—  With intern Barbara Gutierrez