TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-8 announced that there is no shellfish ban in Eastern Visayas.
BFAR-8
However, based on Shellfish Bulletin No. 1, Series of 2024, seawater samples collected from six areas in Eastern Visayas tested positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a toxic microorganism that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).
Red tide warnings were raised in San Pedro Bay in Basey, Samar; Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, the coastal waters of Guiuan, Eastern Samar; Irong-irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar, Matarinao Bay in General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo, Eastern Samar, and the coastal waters of Biliran Island.
These warnings which aim to safeguard human lives advised the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as “alamang” or “hipon.”
The BFAR said that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from these areas are safe for human consumption, provided that they are fresh, thoroughly washed, and their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking.