RAQUEL ARCE
The sale of shellfish bought from Bohol province will continue in Cebu City’s markets until the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) says otherwise, Cebu City Market Administrator Raquel Arce said.
Arce said the shellfish sold in Cebu City markets are not sourced from the areas affected by red tide in Bohol.
The BFAR recently confirmed that shellfish caught in the coastal waters of Dauis town, Bohol province tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison.
“Based on the BFAR reports, those who fell ill after eating shellfish are from the two towns of Bohol only. We don’t get our shellfish from those towns. The shellfish was for their own consumption, there is nothing to worry about,” she said.
Arce said she personally went to BFAR-7 at 3 p.m. last Friday to ask whether it is still safe to sell shellfish in the city and accept shellfish transported from Bohol.
BACKSTORY: Shellfish poisoning downs 11 in Bohol
Toxicity
The BFAR-7 issued an advisory asking residents of Bohol province to avoid eating shellfish gathered from Dauis town until the level of toxicity of the shellfish has been reduced.
Leo Bongalos, acting chief of the Bohol Provincial Fisheries Office, told Cebu Daily News that 17 have fallen ill since June 19. Six have been discharged.
He said the victims suffered from headaches, stomachaches, nausea, swollen lips and numbness.
Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto ordered all local government units (LGUs) in the province to stop eating shellfish caught in Bohol waters until the red tide is over.
Dauis Mayor Miriam Sumaylo earlier said there were 60 fisherfolk that were affected by the ban on shellfish.
Monitoring
Food packs consisting of five kilos of rice and canned goods were given to them, she said.
Dr. Alan Poquita, asst. regional director of BFAR-7, said they are monitoring the affected areas in Bohol province as well as the Bogo-Medellin Bay in northern Cebu and Siaton Bay and Bais Bay in Negros Oriental.
Poquita said the fish is safe to eat provided that its gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
Shrimps, crabs and squids are also safe to eat but these should be washed properly, he said.
RELATED STORY: RED TIDE ALERT