Tahong sold in Davao markets found positive for red tide

by SJB Sanico

Davao City (24 December) — Madeline Navarce of the Regional Fish Health Office said yesterday (Dec.23) that the recently delivered “tahong” (mussels) in the markets of Agdao, Bankerohan and Panabo are positive of the red tide toxin.

Navarce said that some of these “tahong” are brought from Irong-Irong, Villareal and Maqueda Bays in Samar. These bays were found to be highly-positive of the toxin.

The shellfish meat samples acquired from these bays exceeded the tolerable limit of the red tide organisms, which should be below 40 micrograms per gram of shellfish meat, sample, otherwise it is banned.

The results of the samples taken from the bays of Irong-Irong, Villareal and Maqueda, reached 800 micrograms per gram of the sample. This amount is way beyond the tolerable limit.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) issued Shellfish Bulletin No.24 on Dec.14, 2005 which listed the areas that are positive and are free of the red tide toxin.

Areas that are found positive for the red tide and are included in the “Shellfish Ban” are: the coastal waters of Mandaon and Milagros in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon; Honda Bay in Palawan; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; and Irong-Irong, Villareal and Maqueda Bays in Samar.

The areas, however, that are free from the red tide toxin are: the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Pinas, Paranaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda and Bani in Pangasinan; coastal waters of Masinloc and Palauig in Zambales; Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon City and Casiguran in Sorsogon Province; Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; coastal waters of Bacolod City, Victorias City, Silay City, Valladolid, San Enrique, E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Cadiz City, Talisay City and Hinigaran in Negros Occidental; Biliran waters in Biliran, Province; Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City; Carigara and Ormoc Bays in Leyte; Taguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island.

Navarce advised vendors in public markets should require first a health certificate from the suppliers of the shellfishes to make sure that it is free from the toxin.

“Eating shellfishes found positive of the red tide toxin or Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin could paralyze the respiratory system,” Navarce informed. (PIA XI)