Pioneering release of locally-extinct Philippines' true native Tridacna gigas giant clam conducted in Coron, Palawan

Coron, Palawan- Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) and Western Philippines University (WPU) conducted yesterday, April 11, 2024, pioneer release in the wild of six (6) Philippines’ true native giant clam Tridacna gigas sub adults at a No-Take Zone in the Bulalacao Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Coron, Palawan.

The sub-adult Tridacna gigas, which ranged from 29.5-38cm in width, were part of the historic in-situ spawning in June 2019 in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa (Palawan), the presence of which was confirmed by the late National Scientist Dr. Edgardo Gomez who was MFI trustee from 2015 to 2018.

The breeding of the native Tridacna gigas giant clams (with other giant clam species, abalone and trochus) is part of MFI’s restocking of invertebrate species (under the program’s Ecological Rehabilitation leg) in well-managed MPAs in north Palawan, and eventually, the Verde Island Passage and east Mindoro.