TACLOBAN CITY – A shellfish ban remains in place across seven coastal areas in Eastern Visayas after samples of shellfish meat from these waters tested positive for saxitoxin, the harmful substance responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). This announcement comes from an advisory issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Monday, September 16.
The affected areas under the shellfish ban include Daram Island, Samar; Zumarraga Island, Samar; Cambatutay Bay, Samar (Tarangnan); Matarinao Bay, Eastern Samar, covering General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo; Irong-Irong Bay, Samar (Catbalogan City); Maqueda Bay, Samar, which includes the towns of Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, San Sebastian, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, and Hinabangan; Carigara Bay, Leyte, including Babatngon, San Miguel, Barugo, Carigara, and Capoocan.
BFAR has imposed a strict ban on the harvesting, selling, and consumption of all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. (commonly known as “alamang” or shrimp fry) from these areas.
The continued shellfish ban is part of BFAR’s efforts to prevent cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning, a potentially deadly condition that can cause severe symptoms such as numbness, dizziness, and respiratory failure.
In addition to the shellfish ban, BFAR also issued a local red tide warning for several other areas, where waters are being closely monitored due to the potential spread of the toxin.
These areas include the coastal waters of Biliran Island; coastal waters of Calbayog City, Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte; and Villareal Bay, Villareal, Samar
In the town of Leyte, municipal workers have ramped up inspections of public markets to ensure compliance with the shellfish ban and red tide warnings.
Vendors are being closely monitored to prevent the illegal sale of banned shellfish, and the public is being continuously reminded of the health risks involved in consuming tainted seafood.
Despite the ongoing red tide warnings, BFAR clarified that fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs harvested from these areas are still safe to eat, provided they are fresh, properly cleaned, and all internal organs (such as intestines and gills) are removed before cooking.
BFAR stressed the importance of washing seafood thoroughly under running water to remove any contaminants.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
