Cadiz City goes after giant clams’ killers

UNDERWATER HAVEN These giant clams found at the 9.2-hectare Giant Clam Village in the sea off Cadiz City, Negros Occidental is a protected site violated by poachers who removed meat from 32 of the over 2,000 clams on site. —PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CADIZ CITY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

BACOLOD CITY—The city government of Cadiz in Negros Occidental, strongly condemned the poaching and killing of 33 giant clams at its Giant Clam Village, a declared protected marine conservation area, and offered a reward for the arrest of the culprits.

Giant clams are a protected species, and any act of collecting, killing or damaging them is a criminal offense punishable under the law, stressed Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante.

The mayor said a P20,000-cash reward was offered for credible information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those involved in the incident that was discovered on Christmas Day.

Increased monitoring and law enforcement coordination were now in place to protect the city’s marine environment, Escalante added.

SLAUGHTERED These shells are what are left of the giant clams that were “slaughtered” from the Giant Clam Village off the coast of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental, a protected seascape in the city. The incident was discovered on Christmas Day. —PHOTO FROM CADIZ CITY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

‘Senseless, cruel’

Unidentified individuals secretly entered the Giant Clam Village and shucked 33 giant clams and left their empty shells at the site, he said.

The 33 bivalves, considered as protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, were part of the 2,449 giant clams found at the 9.2-hectare Giant Clam Village, located in the waters just beside the famed Lakawon Island in Barangay Cadiz Viejo of the city, which has been declared by the city government as part of its protected sea expanse.

Escalante described the incident as “environmental terrorism.”

“This act is not only cruel and senseless, but a grave violation of environmental and wildlife protection laws and a direct attack on Cadiz City’s long-standing commitment to marine conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable coastal management,” Escalante said.

“Let it be made clear: giant clams are protected species. The Giant Clam Village is a declared protected marine conservation area. Any act of collecting, killing, damaging, or possessing giant clams is a criminal offense, punishable under existing national laws and local ordinances,” he stressed.

All information that will lead to the arrest of those responsible may be made through the Cadiz City Police Station through telephone No. 03-44930166; City Agriculture Office: 03-44930449; City Environment and Natural Resources Office: 03-44660026; and the Barangay chair: 0995-6250292.

“This advisory also serves as a strong warning to all individuals or groups who may attempt similar acts. The city government will pursue the full force of the law against violators. No tolerance will be given to crimes against our marine environment,” Escalante said.

He added: “The Giant Clam Village is a symbol of Cadiz City’s environmental stewardship and a legacy for future generations. Any attack against it is an attack against the people of Cadiz and our shared responsibility to protect our natural heritage.”