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
Rangers are undefeated at .500 to keep World Series champs from a losing record with Bochy
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers are undefeated this season2024-05-21Nation hailed for brokering Saudi
Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi (center) attends the closing event of the Beijing dialogue on Friday2024-05-21Xi Says to Continuously Consolidate, Develop China
Contact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom2024-05-21China supports IAEA's efforts to ensure Zaporizhzhia's safety
Li Song (R, front), China's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA2024-05-21Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s first Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was appointed as act2024-05-21Asian economy expected to increase 4.5 percent in 2024: report
(ECNS) -- The Asian economy is expected to increase by 4.5 percent in 2024 amid a strong consumption2024-05-21
atest comment