SORSOGON BAY REMAINS POSITIVE TO RED TIDE, JUAG LAGOON NOW FREE

PROVINCE OF SORSOGON – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) maintains its declaration of Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon City as still positive of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or the deadly red tide toxin.

Shellfish Bulletin No. 24 s. 2010 issued by BFAR dated October 7, 2010, says that based from their latest laboratory result, Sorsogon Bay remains to be positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

This means that all types of shellfish and alamang (Acetes sp.) gathered from the area are not safe for human consumption and that shellfish ban imposed by the local government remains hoisted.

“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,” BFAR says in its latest bulletin.

Meanwhile, BFAR in its Shellfish Bulletin No. 22 dated September 9 has delisted Juag Lagoon in Matnog town from areas whose sea waters were previously contaminated with the deadly red tide toxin and that shellfish from this area are now safe for human consumption.

In related development, Provincial Agriculture’s Office Fisheries Division Chief Serafin Lacdang in an interview says that they have imposed a stiffer penalty to those who have caught harvesting, transporting or selling shellfish from Sorsogon Bay.

“In fact, just recently, we have immediately filed a case following the apprehension of one shellfish vendor caught in west district,” he said.

He also reiterated their warning to the public to take extra precautions in their food consumption. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)