BFAR lifts shellfish ban in 3 bays, toxin remains in 5 other areas

TACLOBAN CITY - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) lifted on Thursday the shellfish ban in three bays in Samar province after months of infestation. The fisheries bureau said negative results for the toxin causing paralytic shellfish poisoning were obtained from three consecutive weeks of sampling in the seawaters of Maqueda Bay in Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, San Sebastian, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, and Hinabangan in Samar; Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan, Samar; and Matarinao Bay General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar. 'The public is hereby informed that shellfish samples harvested from these three bays are now safe for human consumption. Likewise, gathering or harvesting and marketing of shellfish from the above-mentioned area are now permitted,' the BFAR regional office said in a statement. Although the shellfish ban has been lifted in these areas, the BFAR regularly monitors all coastal waters to check possible recurrence. Meanwhile, local red tide warning is up in the coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte and Calbayog City in Samar as sample seawaters turned positive of red tide toxins. BFAR is still waiting for results of testing of shellfish meat samples sent to the BFAR main office. Under Shellfish Bulletin No. 16, five areas are still positive for toxic red tide, prompting the BFAR shellfish ban in these localities. These are the waters surrounding Biliran Island in Biliran province; Carigara Bay in Babatngon, San Miguel, Barugo, Carigara, and Capoocan towns in Leyte; the waters surrounding Daram Island and Zumarraga Island; Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan town; and Irongirong Bay in Catbalogan City in Samar. The public is strictly advised not to collect, sell, or eat any type of shellfish, including small shrimp, in these areas, according to BFAR. Fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs are safe for human consumption if they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking. Source: Philippines News agency