The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes to list several giant clam species under the Endangered Species Act due to significant threats from overutilization and habitat degradation. Scientific reviews indicate that five species are currently in danger of extinction, while others face increasing risks from climate change and inadequate harvest regulations. To ensure these protections are effective, the agency also seeks to classify four additional species as threatened based on their similarity of appearance. This specific designation aims to help law enforcement identify and prevent the illegal trade of clam meat and worked shell products that are otherwise indistinguishable from protected species. The proposal outlines strictly regulated import and export prohibitions while maintaining support for sustainable mariculture initiatives in U.S. territories. Overall, these measures are intended to reverse population declines and safeguard the ecological function of Indo-Pacific coral reef ecosystems.