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.
Candice Swanepoel stuns in a form
ACWF Launches Publicity, Education Campaign to Celebrate CPC's Centenary
Supporting Women As They Play Greater Roles in Scientific, Technological Innovation
China, EU Agree to Promote People
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
7th China Medical Women's Congress Held in Beijing
Shen Yueyue Calls for Thorough Implementation of the Law on Family Education Promotion
Bangladeshi ship seized off Somali coast is freed after more than a month
Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
Art Exhibition of Promoting Red Boat Spirit Kicks Off
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
Art Exhibition of Promoting Red Boat Spirit Kicks Off