Shellfish ban up in Eastern Visayas waters

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TACLOBAN CITY—A shellfish ban is in place across seven coastal areas in Eastern Visayas region after samples of shellfish meat from these waters tested positive for saxitoxin, the harmful substance responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning.

In a Sept. 16 advisory, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said it imposed a strict ban on harvesting, selling and consumption of all types of shellfish and “alamang” (shrimp fry) from Daram and Zumarraga islands and Cambatutay, Irong-Irong and Maqueda bays in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; and Carigara Bay in Leyte.

BFAR is also monitoring the waters of Biliran Island, Calbayog City, Leyte town in Leyte and Villareal Bay in Samar due to the potential spread of the toxin.