During the 1970s, most of the giant clams were harvested by over 50 countries in the Asia-Pacific region for the meat and aphrodisiac properties by the adductor muscle. It is reported that the giant clam industry could be worth $100million per year. To harvest the giant clams, dredging techniques and special knives have been used. Using the boat propeller to break the coral reefs and harvest the giant clams embedded in the reefs is also another method used more recently. These methods affect both the corals and coral reef ecosystem. Mature clams were mostly harvested.
Giant clams are poached for their shells to be used as ornaments, tableware and floor tiling materials as well. More recently, the shells are seen as status symbols and protective charms. People think that the ownership of giant clams, unlike tiger and elephants products, are less rejected by society, thus they are less likely to receive ostracism. The enormous size of the giant clams contributes to a higher status as well.
Despite the ban on illegal giant clam harvesting and trading, poaching still does happen. The lucrative industry, albeit illegal, attracts many to do so and earn a living. Many poachers think that stopping own’s harvesting for the good of these giant clams would only bring benefits for others poachers as there is then more giant clams for them to poach. Hence, they perceive themselves at a losing end – high cost and no benefit. For the period from 2005 to 2013, more than 2000 giant clam shells worth at least USD$45,000, were confiscated in Java and Bali.
