TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-8 announced that there is no shellfish ban in Eastern Visayas as of Thursday, August 17.
However, seawater samples collected from Matarinao Bay in the municipalities of General Macarthur, Hernani, Quinapondan, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar remain positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a toxic microorganism that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) or red tide.
The BFAR advised people to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as “alamang” or “hipon” from Matarinao Bay.
Dan de San Miguel, Eastern Samar provincial fisheries officer, said squids, shrimps, and crabs 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.
BFAR-8 and the local government unit are closely monitoring the area to safeguard public health and protect the shellfish industry.