China’s Clam Harvesting Causes Extensive Damage to Reefs in South China Sea, Study Finds

MANILA — A comprehensive study has highlighted the extensive environmental damage caused by China’s clam harvesting activities in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea, revealing the destruction of nearly 20,000 acres of coral reefs. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) presented these findings in a briefing held in Mandaluyong on Thursday, shedding light on the significant ecological impact of these practices in the disputed maritime territories.

According to Philippines News Agency, the study, titled “Deep Blue Scars: Environmental Threats to the South China Sea,” points to the extraction of giant clams as a primary factor behind the destruction of at least 16,353 acres of reef. The clams are highly sought after in China for their resemblance to elephant ivory, making them valuable in the creation of statuary and jewelry, with some pieces fetching prices as high as USD 106,000. The report, which Sato led, was initially published in 2023 and involved the analysis of 181 satellite images covering both occupied and unoccupied features across the South China Sea.

The research further indicates that China’s island-building activities, which involve dredging and landfill operations conducted mainly between 2013 and 2017, have resulted in additional damage to around 4,000 acres of coral reef. These methods, particularly “cutter-suction dredging,” have been identified as particularly harmful, compared to less destructive techniques employed by other claimants in the region. The total damage attributed to China’s efforts stands at 4,500 acres of reef, with Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan also impacting the marine environment to a lesser extent.

AMTI Director Greg Poling emphasized the importance of international cooperation, particularly among Southeast Asian nations, to address and mitigate the environmental degradation in the South China Sea. The study calls for the establishment of joint marine scientific research and fisheries management regimes as part of a broader strategy to protect the region’s marine biodiversity.