More than a year after the historic in-situ spawning of the Philippines’ true native Tridacna gigas in June 2019, the first 400 individuals ranging from 1.2-2.7 inches in size have made a new home at the Malampaya Sound national park in Taytay, Palawan on September 7, 2020 while 605 juvenile giant clams and 600 juvenile abalones were released at the Maitre marine protected area (MPA) at Cadlao Island in El Nido on October 5, 2020.

The conservation effort will help revive the native Tridacna gigs giant clam species population declared extinct in the 1980’s but was confirmed to be present with 5 individuals in Honda Bay, Palawan in mid 2017 by late National Scientist Dr. Edgardo Gomez, a former Malampaya Foundation trustee.

El Nido received its first Philippines' true Tridacna gigas on October 5, 2020. The 605 juvenile giant clams and 600 juvenile abalones were released at the Maitre marine protected area (MPA) at Cadlao Island. The restocking aims to bring vulnerable/threatened and endangered shell species back to reefs within effectively-managed MPAs.