Habitat Profiling of Giant Shipworm (Kuphus polythalamia) at Sta. Clara, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat

Recently, sediment-burrowing shipworm was uncovered in Sta. Clara, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. This profiling was conducted to establish baseline data on the giant shipworm’s habitat, which will contribute to the body of knowledge that will provide data for future scientific study. The profiling on the Giant shipworm’s habitat was conducted at Santa Clara, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat from February 19 to April 19. Results show that the physics-chemical parameters among the sampling stations are similar with each other a side from TSS and TPC. Station 2 has the highest readings for both TSS and TPC, where frequent number of locals used this a navigational way forth to the Warf combine with the direct contact with the household sewage (as observed, one household at the shore directly throw their sewages to the shore). In addition, base from the DENR standards the area can be effectively categorize as Class SC which can be utilized for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources and intended for commercial and sustenance fishing, recreational water for boating, fishing, or similar activities: also, marshy and /or mangrove areas declared as fish and wildlife sanctuaries. The quality of the water in the area is not yet in critical, but emerging threat such as growing residential population and unregulated and improper agricultural practices in uplands can potentially deteriorate the water. This profiling is only three-month study; it is recommended to have longer period study and coupled with a distribution study. To have thorough monitoring activities to established more conclusive baseline data.