DAVAO CITY (March 27) — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has banned the gathering, catching and eating of “alamang” in San Pedro Bay, Western Samar; Lianga Bay, Surigao del Sur; and coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran in Bohol due to the presence of paralytic shellfish poison.
Based on the laboratory results, from samples gathered from these areas, the “Acetes sp.” or commonly known as alamang, tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison “that is beyond the regulatory limit” and “not safe for human consumption.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is the foodborne illness associated with the consumption of seafood products contaminated with the neurotoxins known collectively as saxitoxins (STXs).
Sammy Malbas, OIC of BFAR, in a bulletin dated March 25, stressed that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from these waters are safe to eat provided that they are fresh and thoroughly washed.
But entrails, such as gills and intestines must be removed before cooking.
Fish and other shellfish varieties gathered in other coastal areas of the country, such as Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, and Bataan, among others, continue to be free from the red tide toxin, Malvas in the same bulletin aded.-NewsLine.ph
