Saving the Tridacna gigas Clam

Efforts are under way in the Philippines to reintroduce their waters to the "virtually extinct" Tridacna gigas or 'Giant' clam. The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute in Bolinao has been extremely successful in culturing the Tridacnas from just a few hundred to over 37,000 today. Thanks to their efforts, a first-of-its-kind clam-seeding event occured recently in Anvaya Cove when 79 Tridacna gigas were brought to their new homes near the shore.


Photo: NPS


Source:
Giant clams find new home in Anvaya

 

wow, great story Matt
37,000 clams from a few 100. thats a success story for sure.

that the one in the photo with the diver ist great seeing images like this as it really helps put the clams size into perspective

Steve

 

Is that the true size of these clams? It's hard to tell if it's really that big of if they shot it at a wide angle macro to make it look big in comparison to the diver.

That is an amazing success story though.

 

great story matt. it is nice to hear my people in the philippines are doing something to save their oceans. ive heard from many of my elders back home of the days they used to be able to simply stick their head in the water and see so much life, full of fish/corals inverts etc... but now it looks like a desert under the sea

so much blasting was done by fisherman and locals. thanks again for this matt

 

cool good to know future reefers will be able to see these in nature

 

my guess is it may be that big
gigas clams can grow huge even in aquariums so I'm sure they can get even bigger in the wild

 

These bottom-dwelling behemoths are the largest mollusks on Earth, capable of reaching 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length and weighing more than 500 pounds (227 kg). They live in the warm waters of the South Pacific and Indian oceans.

Giant Clams, Giant Clam Pictures, Giant Clam Facts - National Geographic

 

JEEEZ!!! thats one big clam! glad theyre bringing them back though.