The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) lifted the shellfish ban in Daram, Samar province after nearly two months of infestation.
In a statement Tuesday, June 30, BFAR said that negative results for the toxin causing paralytic shellfish poisoning were obtained from three consecutive weeks of sampling in the seawater around Daram.
“The public is hereby informed that shellfish samples harvested from these three bays (in the area) are now safe for human consumption. Likewise, gathering or harvesting and marketing of shellfish from the above-mentioned area are now permitted,” the agency's regional office said in a statement.
Shellfish collected from seawater in Daram town tested positive for red tide in early May this year.
Although the shellfish ban has been lifted in the area, the BFAR regularly monitors all coastal waters to check for possible recurrence.
Meanwhile, the local red shellfish ban remains in effect in Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar; the coastal waters of Biliran Island in Biliran province; and Matarinao Bay in the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar.
The areas remained on the shellfish ban list because samples of both seawater and shellfish meat were still positive for red tide toxins.
Under Shellfish Bulletin No. 16, five areas in the country are still positive for toxic red tide, prompting the BFAR shellfish ban in these localities.
The public is strictly advised not to collect, sell, or eat any type of shellfish, including small shrimp, in these areas, according to BFAR.
(With report from PNA)
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