Tridacna maxima (Small Giant Clam)

As in 2010, in 2011 T. maxima was selected on the basis of high volume trade in a globally threatened species and EU imports principally comprised live individuals traded for commercial purposes (20 855 individuals), of which 89% were captive-produced and the remainder wild-sourced. The principal exporter of captive-produced, live individuals was Vanuatu, while the majority of wild-sourced, live individuals originated in French Polynesia. Live imports decreased by 14% between 2010 and 2011. An import suspension has been in place since 10/05/2006 for wild-sourced specimens originating in Vanuatu. A positive opinion for specimens from French Polynesia was formed at SRG 61 on 11/09/2012.

2010 Summary for Tridacna maxima (Small Giant Clam)

Criteria met:  High volume (globally threatened)

Principal trade term to the EU:  live

Principal source:  captive-bred

Top EU importer:  United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Germany

Top Trading Partner:  Micronesia, Vanuatu

CITES Appendix:  II

IUCN Status:  Near Threatened

EU-reported imports of live Tridacna maxima from the four main sources (‘W’, ‘R’, ‘C’ and ‘F’), all purposes, 2001-2010.

EU imports in 2010 principally comprised live specimens traded for commercial purposes (24,191 live specimens), of which 82% were captive-born (source ‘F’) and smaller quantities were wild-sourced, captive-bred and ranched. Between 2009 and 2010, total imports of live specimens increased by 7%, with the proportion of wild-sourced specimens increasing from The source ‘F’ trade primarily originated in Micronesia (45%) and Vanuatu (33%), while the vast majority of the wild-sourced trade originated in an unknown country of origin and all the ranched trade originated in Kiribati (a non-Party).

The SRG formed a negative opinion for wild specimens originating in Micronesia and Vanuatu, among other countries, on 22/05/2003. Import suspensions have been in place for wild-sourced specimens originating in these countries since 10/05/2006. The positive opinion for wild-sourced specimens from Kiribati, formed on 22/07/1997, was removed on 23/02/2012.