Shellfish ban strictly enforced in 6 provinces

A shell fish ban has been im- posed in several bays across the country, a report of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) showed.

BFAR said the ban is in effect in Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; Bataan waters of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, after testing positive for red tide toxins.

BFAR said harvesting, selling, buying and eating shellfish from these areas are strictly prohibited.

All types of shellfish and Acetes species or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption. Fish, squids.shrimps and crabs are safe provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs are removed before cooking, the BFAR said.

Shellfish that are free from red tide toxins are harvested in Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; 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, President Roxas, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz.

Those harvested in 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; 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 and Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog, Camiguin Island are also free from red tide toxins.