BFAR advises public on shellfish poisoning

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 3 released an advisory on the latest results of the shellfish samples collected from the coastal waters of Bataan, from the towns of Orani, Hermosa, Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Samal and Abucay that are now positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP).

The public is now advised to refrain from buying, cooking, eating, gathering or harvesting, transporting and marketing shellfish such as tahong, talaba, halaan, even alamang and other seafoods like alimasag, shrimps to avoid poisoning.

BFAR Regional Director Wilfredo M. Cruz has directed his provincial officers to conduct continuous monitoring on the affected areas regarding the toxicity level on the water in said areas as well as massive information dissemination to warn the public of the dangers of eating shellfish and other “lamang dagat” so as they say.

Director Cruz also said that Municipal Officials need to stay alert and vigilant as they have to do their part in the information dissemination in the coastal areas/ barangays of their municipalities to safeguard public health and to protect the fishery industry.

The Provincial Health Office has also instructed municipal and barangay health employees to report immediately any situation that has to do with paralytic
shellfish poisoning and to help in creating awareness on the dangers of said situation and in informing the public on what to do/ first aid in case any member of the family is poisoned by eating shellfish.