The ban on harvesting shellfish from Bais Bay in Bais City, Negros Oriental remains in effect despite a recent sampling of bivalves from the bay that tested negative for red tide, an official said Sept. 18.
Florencia Mepaña, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Negros Oriental chief, told the Philippine News Agency that their regional office in Cebu City said the shellfish samples were collected from Bais Bay last Sept. 11.
The shellfish meat analysis turned out negative but water samples show a high cell count of pyrodinium, red tide dinoflagellates.
“This is kind of confusing and so, to make sure that humans are safe, the ban is still up, and the recommendation is for us to conduct monitoring twice a month,” Mepaña said.
“A previous advisory issued weeks earlier banning the collection, sale, and consumption of shellfish from Bais Bay therefore remains in effect,” she added.
Mepaña said repeat laboratory analysis of shellfish in Bais Bay will be done soon.
Meanwhile, Tambobo Bay and Siit Bay in Siaton, Negros Oriental, turned out negative for red tide, the BFAR official said.
The BFAR central office, in its latest shellfish bulletin dated Sept. 16, said that shellfishes collected and tested from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; the coastal waters of Daram Island, Zumarraga Island, Irong-Irong Bay, Cambatutay Bay in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Carigara Bay in Leyte; coastal waters of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay Province; and Maqueda Bay in Samar are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), or toxic red tide, that is beyond the regulatory limit.
“All types of shellfish and alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption,” the advisory said. “Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption, provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking.” ||
