Two individuals eating giant clams, known as taklobo, have sparked the anger of netizens
MUKBANG TAKLOBO – Netizens are deeply upset with content creators who consume giant clams.
Giant clams, also known as “taklobo” in the Philippines, are the largest species of clam in the world. These clams belong to the genus Tridacna and are renowned for their impressive size, vibrant colors, and distinct markings. Giant clams are a type of marine mollusk found in shallow coral reef ecosystems in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. They are filter feeders, using photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae living in their tissues for sustenance. These clams play a crucial role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of coral reefs.
Catching the giant clams has been declared illegal. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Central Visayas has identified taklobo as an endangered species. Taklobo is now listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and classified under Fisheries Administrative Order 208.
In a press release on their Facebook page dated January 18, the BFAR-Central Visayas officer-in-charge, Nilo Katada, stated that any activities involving “fishing or taking, gathering, selling, purchasing, possessing, transporting, exporting, forwarding or shipping out” of taklobo are considered unlawful under Republic Act 10654, known as the Philippine Fisheries Code.
Individuals found violating the law will be subject to administrative liabilities equaling “three times the value of the species, or an amount ranging between P300,000 to P3 million.” Violators may also face imprisonment lasting “five to eight years, and a fine equivalent to twice the administrative fine, and forfeiture of species.”
On the microblogging site X, formerly known as Twitter, @MangingisdaSays exposed content creators who were eating giant clams. The mukbang video was uploaded by Raw & Cook Food Asmr on their official Facebook page.
Subsequently, following a backlash from netizens, they decided to remove the video. However, netizens managed to capture a snapshot of it before it was taken down. As expected, their actions generated mixed reactions among netizens, with some social media users emphasizing that they should be arrested.