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
Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil coach Dorival Júnior has replaced injured goalkeeper Ederson with Sao P2024-05-21Senior CPC official stresses protection, inheritance of cultural heritage
(Xinhua) 09:55, December 20, 2023Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau2024-05-21China's top legislature to review draft amendment to Criminal Law targeting bribers
(Xinhua) 14:11, December 23, 2023BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A draft amendment to China's Criminal2024-05-21Vice premier stresses importance of data quality in national economic census
(Xinhua) 08:52, January 04, 2024Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Co2024-05-21Rangers 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 season2024-05-21Xi stresses developing new quality productive forces
(Xinhua) 07:59, March 06, 2024Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist2024-05-21
atest comment