Fossilized giant clam shells or "taklobo / manlet" that are suspectedly poached from the sea have been seized by authorities in Balabac, Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) disclosed on Monday, February 19.

The Coast Guard District Palawan assisted local authorities in recovering 336 pieces of the recovered shells that were stocked and hidden at the shoreline of Brgy. Sebaring last February 14.

The retrieved shells have an estimated market value of P8.1 million, according to the PCG.

The PCG said that the operation marked a "significant milestone in marine life conservation" as taklobo are considered a natural habitat for fish and other marine life.

The operation was jointly conducted by the Coast Guard Station South Western Palawan, Coast Guard Intelligence Group Palawan, Coast Guard Sub-Station Bancalaan, Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and the local government unit of Brgy. Sebaring.

The seized taklobo were turned over to the village officials for proper custody.

The harvest, possession, and sale of taklobo is prohibited under Republic Act 10654 or "An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing" that amended RA 8550 or "The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998."

Violators could face a fine of up to P3 million and eight years of imprisonment under the law.