Talim Bay Coastal Resources Management Project

          The restocking activities of  taklobo or  giant clams were  undertaken in Talim Bay  on  April 6, 21 and  May 17, 2016 by  the  LGU  of  Lian( Batangas), in  partnership  with the Lian Fisher folk  Association, Inc. (LFA),  Center  for Social Concern and  Action (COSCA)  and the Department of  Environment  and Natural Resources (DENR).  The  restocking  activities  is  part  of  LGU Lian’s  efforts   to  conserve  giant  clams,  which have  been reported  as threatened and  endangered species.

          Twenty five (25) cultured  large Tridacne gigas  locally  known as  taklobo  were donated  by the   DENR- National while the  DENR –Provincial  donated an additional  22  giant  clams.   The  giant clam nursery will help  improve the  recruitment  potential  of the species of  giant  clams and  in the  long  run   enhance  the  ecotourism  initiatives  in   Lian, Batangas.

           Members of the Lian Fisherfolk  Association  in Sitio Kay Reyna, Lumaniag   serve as  local  stewards as  they  monitor  the reseeded giant  clams in their  Marine Protected Area. 

           Prior  to  the  reseeding /restocking activity, members  of  the  community  were  reminded of  the provisions of  National Laws relevant  to  the  protection of  the giant  clams.  Specifically,   Section  97 of  Republic  Act No.  8550 or the Philippine Fisheries  Code of  1998 states that the fishing or  taking of  rare  threatened or endangered species as listed in the  Convention on  International Trade in Endangered Species of  wild  flora and fauna and  as determined by the  Department is a  violation of the  provision and will entail an imprisonment  of  twelve (12) years to  twenty (20) years and/ or  a  fine  of  one Hundred and Twenty Thousand pesos ( P 120,000.00)  and forfeiture of  the catch, and the  cancellation of  fishing  permit.  

             Fishers  of  Talim  bay took  the challenge of nurturing   the  giant clams and  of monitoring the  nursery as another leap in the performance  of  their  role  as resource managers  of Talim bay and as  biodiversity  conservation advocates.