BFAR asks LGUs to ensure fishery products delivered to markets are not from areas affected by red-tide
PANGASINAN – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 1 has advised local government units to require their markets to demand ‘auxiliary invoice’ to determine the point of origin of all fishery products.
Specifically, the inspectors, the quarantine officers and the administrators of markets are advised to check if the carrier has a delivery permit issued by the BFAR.
The move was meant to ensure that shellfish products being delivered do not come from coastal areas that are still positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).
In its latest advisory dated April 13, the BFAR said shellfish samples taken from the Bolinao waters are still positive for red tide toxin.
In Dagupan City, the city agriculture office strictly monitors incoming supply of shellfish to make sure it is not contaminated with the red-tide toxin.
“Sa panig ng City Agriculture Office, mahigpit po ang isinasagawang pagsusuri sa mga lamang dagat na dinadala sa Dagupan upang ibenta. Lahat po ng mga taong may dalang ibebentang lamang-dagat sa Dagupan ay hinahanapan ng auxiliary invoice o kaya’y transport permit upang matiyak na hindi galing sa Bolinao ang mga ito,” the Dagupan City Information Office said.
Rosario Segundina P. Gaerlan, BFAR 1 Regional Director, requested intensive dissemination of the information to keep the consuming public abreast and aware of the current situation.