In the mail I received a solicitation from "The Coral Reef Alliance", which
does not look to be sheller friendly.  One of its goals is to stop the
"mining" of shells on the world's coral reefs.

Within the brochure is the following statement:

"And the giant tridachna (sic) clams, coveted as a delicacy throughout
Southeast Asia, are disappearing because their shimmering mantles are cut
off by tourist divers for their evening sushi".

I know that giant clam makes great sushi, but recreational divers slicing
off their mantles?  Can anyone validate this statement?  Sounds bogus to
me.

Scott Jordan