Sunday, March 23, 2008 Masinloc Bay imposes shellfish ban
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Refrain from eating, gathering or harvesting, transporting, and marketing shellfish from the coastal waters of Masinloc Bay in Zambales to avoid paralytic shellfish poisoning.
This was advised by Director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) based on the results of the latest red tide monitoring activities of the bureau.
As stated in the bureau's shellfish advisory No. 05 series of 2008, shellfish samples from Masinloc Bay in Zambales have been found positive for red tide toxin.
The shellfish ban in Masinloc Bay in Zambales is enforced until such time that the shellfish toxicity level has gone down below the regulatory level.
Aside from Masinloc Bay, the shellfish ban is also imposed in Sorsogon Bay, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Irong-Irong Bay in
Catbalogan, Samar; and Wawa in Bani, Pangasinan.
All types of shellfish and alamang gathered from these areas are banned and are not safe for human consumption, the Bfar warned.
However, fish harvested from these areas are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
Sarmiento said Bfar central and regional offices are continuously monitoring the coastal waters of Masinloc Bay to safeguard the public's health, as well as protect the fishery industry.
Meanwhile, the following areas continue to be free from toxic red tide: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda and Alaminos in Pangasinan; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Juag lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon; Honday Bay in Puerto Princesa City and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; coastal waters of Hinigiran, Talisay City, Bacolod City, Victorias City, E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Valladolid, San Enrique and Polopandan in Negros Occidental; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran province; Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Sibugay, Zamboanga; Hinatuan and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Taguiñes Lagoon in Camiguin Island; and Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental. (ETY/IA)
