by Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, JAN.20(PIA)--- Fish caught along the coastal waters of Zamboanga del Norte are safe to eat, according to an official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) based in the province.
Zamboanga del Norte BFAR Chief Fishery Technician Rey Tercio issued the assurance amidst report that some floating cadavers of the victims of typhoon Sendong from Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City, which were already in the advanced state of decomposition were recovered along the coastal waters of the province.
According to Tercio, all fish coming from the coastal waters of the province are safe to eat, provided it’s very well cleaned and properly cooked. He also urged the public to avoid eating raw fish (kilaw).
“We have not received any report that someone in Zamboanga Peninsula has been poisoned because of eating raw fish,” Tercio said.
However, the BFAR reiterated the memorandum from the BFAR Central Office stating that all shellfish from the Mursillagos Bay in the municipality of Sibutad,Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur are still not safe to eat because of red tide.
Thus, Tercio urged the Local Government Units in the area to closely coordinate with BFAR for the strict implementation of the directive banning the harvest and selling of shellfish from Mursillagos Bay.(RIcalina/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)
