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. |
Growing skincare use by children is dangerous, say dermatologistsUkraine aid worker Chris Parry died unlawfully alongside Andrew Bagshaw, inquest hearsJimmy Lai provided HK$1.5 million loan to activists, court hearsChristchurch man jailed for 14 years over role in US porn videosOtago councillors vote to delay notification of controversial land, water planConnings Food Market to take over Nelson site deemed not financially viable for affordable housingDoggy ballgowns, surveillance tech and cloning services for sale at China pet fairNelson urgently needs revitalisation as economic performance slumpsScientists say oneWhat we're watching: The Great