China urged to save coral reefs in Asian waters amid booming illegal trade in giant clams

Over 20,000 acres of coral reefs have been destroyed mainly due to illegal demand for giant clams, according to a study by the US think-tank CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, which says they are bound for China where the shells are coveted as carved ornaments.

“It’s supposed to be illegal. Nevertheless, there’s been documented evidence of it happening.”

Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, Prétat said that while China’s sand dredging and island building around the disputed Spratly and Paracel Islands are widely reported, it is secondary to the damage done by the harvesting of giant clams from coral reefs.

Using satellite imagery, Prétat said that China’s dredging and landfilling efforts were found to have damaged over 4,500 acres of coral reef – a figure which leaps to over 20,000 acres when added to the damage caused by giant clam harvesting.

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“It is important to underscore that – even though it’s less covered and less known – giant clam harvesting has damaged a much larger area of coral reefs,” Prétat said.

Adding that there is only so much marine scientists can learn from satellite-based research, he called for governments in the region – including China – to mount joint on-site investigations into the deteriorating state of the reefs.

“Certainly China should also be included … and China has many excellent marine scientists,” he said. “All the coastal states need to be involved if you want to learn what’s going on.”

Demand for the molluscs – often over a metre wide – has surged in tandem with stricter global controls on ivory, with the visual similarity of the massive clams making them highly sought after by China’s jewellery carving industry.

Norma