Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
Time:2024-05-21 13:20:03 Source:opinionsViews(143)
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.
Previous:'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
Next:Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
You may also like
- The Latest
- King Charles takes on more than 200 new patronages from late Queen
- California Democrat is sent a 'DUI prevention kit' with a breathalyzer and non
- Israel has briefed US on plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of potential Rafah operation
- Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection after closing some restaurants
- Britney Spears breaks silence after 'huge bust
- Rita Ora, 33, and husband Taika Waititi, 48, put on a very loved
- Kentucky Derby 2024: Eyes on early favorites Fierceness, Sierra Leone
- Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash