In this interview conducted in the Republic of Palau in October, 1987, Mr. John You, then Chief of the Marine Resource Office in Yap State, Federated State of Micronesia, describes a conservation program in which thousands of cultured giant clams, Tridacna derasa, were shipped from Palau and planted in clam gardens in the villages of Yap, including Yap proper and the Outer Islands.

At the time of this interview in 1987, Yap had already imported some 8,000 Tridacna derasa of age 1-2 years from Palau’s MMDC Giant Clam Hatchery and planted them in 53 locations on Yap proper and another 25 locations in the outer islands.

Thanks to John You, the Yap Marine Resource Office and the collaborating clam farmers of Yap. Thanks also to the Government of Palau, the staff of the Micronesian Mariculture Demonstration Center (MMDC), the Pacific Fisheries Development Foundation (NMFS/NOAA) and the International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) in Canada.

Interview and videography by Gerald Heslinga (NMFS/NOAA).

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