By Alma L. Tingcang
PAGADIAN CITY , Jan 9 (PIA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has issued Shellfish Bulletin No. 01, series of 2012 dated January 6 which states that based on the latest laboratory results of the office as well as concerned local government units (LGUs), shellfishes collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; Bataan coastal waters (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal); and Matarinao bay in Eastern Samar are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
BFAR Director Atty. Asis G. Perez said that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas mentioned above are NOT SAFE for human consumption. Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
Moreover, the following areas continue to be FREE from toxic red tides: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Pinas, Paranaque, Navotas, and Bulacan in Manila Bay; coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos and Bani in Pangasinan; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Honda and Puerto Bays in Puerto Princesa City, and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Saplan in Capiz; coastal waters of E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City and San Enrique in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran Province; Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; and Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog, Camiguin Island. (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)