The planned harvest of giant clams from Manuae Island in the Cook Islands is disappointing, a local environmental group says.
A Giant Clam in the Cook Islands Photo: Georgia Langdon
The island, which lies 100 kilometres south-east of Aitutaki, is the last haven for giant clams in the Southern Cook Islands.
RNZ Pacific understands about 8000 giant clams will be harvested and taken to Rarotonga to sell during the annual Constitution Celebrations.
The Ministry of Marine Resources opposes the harvest, which has been sanctioned by Aitutaki's island council.
Aitutaki Conservation Trust member Michael Lee said Manuae was only a small island and the harvest would have an impact on its already depleted clam population.
"They take years and years to grow. I think they take seven or eight years before they start spawning. So these clams that they're taking - they're spawning clams - and there's not a hell of a lot of clams over there now," he said.