BFAR lifts shellfish ban on Sorsogon Bay

LEGAZPI CITY –– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Tuesday declared the coastal waters off Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon province free of red tide toxins.

In its advisory, Commodore Eduardo Gongona, BFAR national director, said the shellfish samples collected from the area were tested negative for paralytic shellfish poison.

He said the shellfish harvested from the Sorsogon Bay is now safe for human consumption.

Nonie Enolva, BFAR Bicol spokesperson, said since December 5, 2020, the agency had banned the harvesting and marketing of “alamang” (krill) and all types of shellfish such as green mussel, carpet shell, pen shell, blood cockle, and oyster in the area due to red tide.

LZB