Clam soup — the biologist, NOAA, the delegate and the Center for Biological Diversity
BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA Journal Staff
In 2016, Dwayne W. Meadows, a conservation biologist with the National Science Foundation, petitioned the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Marine Fisheries Service (the lead office for implementing the ESA) to list the Tridacninae giant clams (excluding Tridacna rosewateri) as “Threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.”
The NMFS is a department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is within the Department of Commerce.
Meadows supplied the natural history of giant clams, their range [of still living clams in the Indo-Pacific region], their habitat and more in his petition to the NMFS.
He also wrote in the 38-page petition, “NMFS has jurisdiction over this petition because the petitioned species are marine. This petition sets in motion a specific process, placing definite response requirements on NMFS.
“Specifically, NMFS must issue an initial finding as to whether this petition “presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted.”
NMFS had 90 days after receiving the petition to make the initial finding.
“… there can be no reasonable dispute that the available information indicates that listing the species may be warranted. As such, NMFS must promptly make a positive initial finding on the petition and commence and complete a status review as required …,” Meadows wrote.
ParkerIn December 2023, Lauren A. Parker, staff attorney, and Jason Rylander, legal director, both with the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute; wrote to Secretary Gina Raimondo at the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Richard Spinrad, under secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA administrator, issuing a Notice of Intent to sue the Department of Commerce and NMFS for violation of the Endangered Species Act to list Tridacninae giant clams (excluding Tridacna rosewateri) as threatened or endangered under the ESA and designate its critical habitat.
“The Center is providing this letter to you pursuant to the 60-day notice requirement of the citizen suit provision of the ESA,” they wrote.
On July 24, the Center issued a media release on progress.
“Responding to a petition by biologist Dwayne Meadows, … and following the Center for Biological Diversity’s notice of intent to sue, the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed today to protect 10 giant clam species under the Endangered Species Act,” the release said.
The center noted in that release that the Fisheries Service announced in June 2017 that protection may be warranted.
James C. Moylan, Guam’s delegate to Congress; issued a statement on July 30, five days after NOAA announced its proposed rule on July 25. He referred to “its proposal to list six species of giant clams under the Endangered Species Act, based on their extinction rate …”
Moylan said three of the clam species (Hippopus hippopus, Tridacna derasa, and Tridacnagigas) are native to Guam.
Moylan also recognized that local clams have been harvested in Guam for “sustenance” and that their shells are popular for carving to include for sinahi, a traditional Guam necklace.
“By adding these six species of clams to the ESA, it would be illegal for anyone to participate in (1) harvest, collection, killing, or injury of the endangered species; (2) possession or sale of species or products that were collected illegally; (3) import and export of specimens or derivative products, such as meat that has been cut from the shell, shell carvings, or pearls; and (4) release of captive specimens into the wild.
“Exceptions would only be provided for scientific research or the assistance in the recovery of the species,” he said.
NOAA appears to have swiftly responded.
MoylanMoylan said the agency “has expressed that no exceptions shall be provided for the cultural use of these six species.”
NOAA’s proposed rule is listed in its entirety on regulations.gov. As is common with proposed rules, a comment period is offered. This runs from July 29 to Oct. 23.
The delegate has called on island residents to share their thoughts and submit comments.
“This decision by NOAA needs to be reconsidered from a cultural perspective as well. Our office is requesting for some consideration from NOAA’s leadership, and this would include seeking outside the box ideas such as funding aquaculture preserves for these clams. While we recognize the scientific analysis in their decision, particularly since NOAA claims that very few of the clams native to Guam are found in the wild, there needs to be a delicate balance to allow certain cultural usage, while also preserving the species.”
On Aug. 1, the Center for Biological Diversity responded by email to the Journal’s request for comment.
Parker said, “The press release from the Honorable James Moylan is not accurate in that the proposed rule is unlikely to change activities on Guam.
“That’s because the agency's status report says that all native species of giant clam on Guam are extinct in the area except for one, and that one is not in danger of extinction.
For the sole extant (living) giant clam native to Guam — the fluted giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) — the agency proposed a prohibition on import and export only of derivative parts because those parts could be similar in appearance to endangered giant clams.”
Parker said the rule could be helpful.
“One of the benefits of this proposed rule under the Endangered Species Act is that it will raise public awareness of the plight of giant clams.
It’s possible that the native clam species that have been wiped out could be found and recovered to healthy levels. The true giant clam, smooth giant clam, and horse’s hoof giant clam (Tridacna gigas, Tridacna derasa, and Hipppus hippopus, respectively) are the native Guam species that to our knowledge no longer exist there.
“Another benefit of this proposed rule is that listing opens access to federal grant funds and expertise that can help the species recover.”
Tridacna squamosa giant clam Photo of clam is Courtesy of Wikicommons
According to the center, “Giant clams — the largest grow to a shell length of 54 inches and weigh nearly 500 pounds — live in coastal areas next to coral reefs in the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific. Giant clams are generally fast-growing and mature between two and nine years of age, depending on the species. The oldest known reliably aged giant clam was 63 years old.
In Micronesia, giant clams are farmed in Palau. Residents who see them in Palau’s waters appreciate them as a positive, living part of the ecosystem. Giant clams also contribute to the attractions of scuba diving and snorkeling for tourists.
In the Federated States of Micronesia one couple in Kosrae have been growing giant clams for 17 years, according to a February story by Planet Forward of Rutgers University. They are cultivating six varieties of clams including Tridacna gigas.
According to its website, Ocean Reefs & Aquariums owns and operates a Giant Clam Hatchery in Majuro. ORA acquired the clam farm in late 2003, The Marshall Islands Mariculture Farm produces “several species of giant clams” as well as a variety of hard and soft corals.
“Over the past several years, ORA and MIMF have expanded their local outreach in the Marshall Islands and the surrounding areas by working with other coral farms and training people to grow corals and clams for the aquarium trade.
“Many of the Marshall Island, MIMF or Micronesian corals we sell were grown by local families who have cages in the lagoons in front of their homes. Additionally, we supply farmers with supplies to grow clams in cages,” ORA says.mbj
