>Considering that these shells are now actively grown in Tridacna farms
>in the Indo-Pacific, it is interesting that they are not more available
>despite CITES.

In thisa instance it makes the CITES restrictions a bit of an ass,
doesn't it? By that I don't mean that reefs should be denuded of
their giant & horsehoof clams, but certainly cultured specimens
should be unrestricted... WITH documentation to prove their
culturedness!
--
Regards
Andrew