ILOILO City – The seawaters of Gigantes Island in Carles, Iloilo tested positive for red tide toxins.
In a local red tide warning, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Western Visayas disclosed that shellfish samples from the coastal waters of Gigantes Island were positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or has paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) level beyond the Philippine Regulatory Limit of 60.STEeq/100g shellfish meat (FAO 235 series of 2010).
The laboratory examination was conducted by BFAR’s National Fisheries Laboratory Division (NFLD) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
According to Regional Director Remia Aparri, the warning is a precautionary advice for the public to refrain from gathering, selling and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. locally known as alamang or hipon from the coastal waters of Gigantes Island.
Fish, squid, crab, and shrimp, on the other hand, are safe to eat provided all their entrails are removed and washed thoroughly with running water before cooking, said Aparri.
The bureau together with the local government unit of Carles, vowed to continuously monitor the Gigantes Island area.
BFAR seeks to safeguard human lives and mitigate red tide’s impact on the shellfish industry./PN
