The DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), through a team from the Philippine Aquatic Red List Committee (PARLC) composed of invertebrate experts, conducted a Non-Detrimental Finding (NDF) assessment of giant clam shells in Palawan to ensure their sustainable management and conservation.

The team was composed of Eunice Bognot and Renalyne Acosta of NFRDI-Capture Fisheries Research and Development Division, Dr. Marie Antonette Menez of University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), Dr. Nadia Palomar-Abesamis of Siliman University, Joy Fusieran of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Tirso Trinidad of Local Government Unit (LGU) of Roxas, and project research assistants, Oasis Atuel and Myron Gavriel Baring. They visited the Green Island and Johnson Island in Roxas in Palawan on August 28, 2024 to gather additional information, and conduct interview regarding giant clams.

In addition, a focus group discussion (FGD) was conducted on August 29, 2024 at the Regional Fisheries Training Center in Palawan to validate relevant information gathered through exhaustive data mining from published works and grey literatures. Participants of the FGD were composed of stakeholders from the Philippine Coastguard-Palawan, Philippine National Police-Maritime Police-Palawan, Western Philippines University, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, LGUs of Roxas, Puerto Princesa City, Bataraza, and Narra, and fisherfolk representatives. The study’s background and legal basis were presented to the participants, followed by a discussion on NDF process, biological characteristics of giant clams, and their utilization and trade. Participants were also provided with questionnaires, which allowed the research team to gather and validate data, particularly from the Palawan area. The project research assistants then summarized and presented the synthesis of these inputs before concluding the program.

Giant clams are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and their gathering, collection, and possession are prohibited under Philippine law. To protect these resources, BFAR and NFRDI, through the PARLC, are conducting the study.

NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Lilian Garcia serves as the chair of the PARLC, which is composed of scientists with expertise in various aquatic groups. The PARLC includes a total of 10 subcommittees, one of which is the Invertebrates Subcommittee.

PARLC is tasked to recommend criteria to determine threatened aquatic wildlife and its classification as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, and/or other internationally accepted categories to the National Aquatic Wildlife Management Committee based on the scientific results submitted by the subcommittees. ### (Renalyn Acosta)