BFAR: Shellfish from Carles, Iloilo not safe for consumption

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-6) has warned against eating shelfish from the town of Carles, Iloilo.

Shellfish meat samples collected from the coastal waters of Asluman and Gabi on Gigantes Island tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or red tide toxins.

The examination was conducted by the BFAR Regional Fisheries Laboratory VI using Lateral Flow ImmunoChromatography (LFIC) screening test.

The results, according to BFAR-6, are still subject to confirmatory tests using Receptor Binding Assay (RBA) in a Central Office laboratory.

“This warning is issued as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. locally known as ‘Alamang’ or ‘Hipon,'” it said.

“Fish, squid, crab, and shrimp are safe to eat provided that all entrails are removed and washed thoroughly with running water before eating,” BFAR-6 added.

BFAR-6 Regional Director Remia Aparri said they will continuously monitor the areas to safeguard the public health and protect the shellfish industry.IMT