Revenue officials seize 44 giant clams at airport

Over 40 of an endangered species of giant clam were seized by the Revenue Commissioners at Dublin Airport last year, according to new figures.

The clams had been illegally harvested from the coral reefs off the coast of Vietnam, and were being smuggled into Ireland as part of a tropical fish consignment for sale on the black market.

The 44 oceanic giants are the largest living bivalve molluscs and one of the most endangered species of clam.

They can grow to 1.2m in diameter and weigh up to 200kg. The species is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

The clams are considered a delicacy in some areas of Japan and south-east Asia.

The data, released under the Freedom of Information Act, revealed that the consignment of giant clams was the first seizure of live exotic animals by Revenue and Customs for over four years.

The last seizure occurred in 2009, when six live turtles were discovered at Shannon Airport, having been imported from China.