Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines blamed Chinese fishermen on Monday for a massive loss of giant clams in a disputed shoal controlled by China’s coast guard in the South China Sea and urged an international inquiry into the amount of environmental damage in the area.
The Philippine coast guard presented surveillance photographs of Chinese fishermen harvesting large numbers of giant clams for a number of years in a lagoon at Scarborough Shoal, but said signs of such activities stopped in March 2019.
Parts of the surrounding coral appeared to be badly scarred, in what the coast guard said was apparently a futile search by the Chinese for more clams. The lagoon is a prominent fishing area which Filipinos call Bajo de Masinloc and the Chinese calll Huangyan Dao off the northwestern Philippines.
“Those were the last remaining giant clams that we saw in Bajo de Masinloc,” Philippine coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said at a news conference.
Related articles
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
JERUSALEM (AP) — The death of Iran’s president is unlikely to lead to any immediate changes in Iran’2024-05-21Core blimey: Poached pears with blackberry drizzle and hazelnut shortbread
Apples and pears as you’ve never eaten them before, in a savoury tray bake, a stunning squash soup a2024-05-21Prince William's supporters reveal what he's really like behind the scenes
Prince William's impact on charities is 'very personal' and he often does work behind the scenes wit2024-05-21Should you put 'magic' mushrooms in your coffee?
For most of us, a steaming cup of coffee is a prerequisite for making it through the morning.But whi2024-05-21Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi is in and Paulo Dybala is out of Argentina’s squad for f2024-05-21JENNI MURRAY: The Cass Report is a voice of reason on trans dogma that must not be ignored
It's been three and a half years in the making but at last the Cass Report, a deep investigation int2024-05-21
atest comment