A. The Giant Clam is protected from wild reef harvesting, under the order of C.I.T.E.S. (the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species). CITES is an international treaty to protect wildlife against over-exploitation and to prevent international trade from threatening species with extinction. Giant clams are no longer legal to collect in the wild. The Giant Clam shells sold by Seashells4u.com are imported from a closely inspected aquaculture farm. Many cultures consider the meat of the clam a delicacy, and the primary purpose of these farms is to raise clams for the meat. The shell itself is simply a by-product of the farm. Aquaculture farms are strictly regulated and controlled. Free swimming larvae from the giant clams raised on the farms add to, and increase, the native populations in the wild. Seashells4u.com meets all the environmental criteria established by CITES. Prior to importation, the shells are inspected at the USA Port of Entry by the Fish and Wildlife Agency