Shellfish ban enforced in 4 bays

MANILA, Philippines - The shellfish ban is enforced in at least four bays across the country, which are found contaminated with red tide toxins, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.

Citing Shellfish Bulletin No. 15 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the DOH said the ban is in effect in Matariano Bay in eastern Samar, Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental and Masinloc Bay in Zambales.          

These areas, the DOH said, have yielded “paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regularity limit.”

“All types of shellfish and alamang gathered from the areas shown above are not safe for human consumption,” the DOH said.

“But fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” the DOH added.

 Shellfish harvested from the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos and Bani in Pangasinan; 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; Pilar, Pres. Roxas, Ponteverde, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Villadolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City and San Enrique in Negros Occidental are however safe to eat.

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, Balita Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental, Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay and Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog, Camiguin Island are also free from red tide toxins, the DOH said.