THE SELLING and distribution of green mussels or tahong are prohibited in public markets and talipapa until further notice, an official from the City Veterinarian’s Office reiterated Thursday.
Jasmin E. Alojada, Aquaculturist Technician II and red tide laboratory analyst, said they will confiscate tahong in major public markets, especially those coming from Samar.
Samar province is the largest distributor of green mussels in all public markets in the city, shipping about 2,000 kilos at a time.
“After we inspected and found they were positive with Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), all of the tahong confiscated will be subject to disposal,” she said.
Alojada reported they seized an estimated 912.78 kilograms of tahong from Bankerohan Public Market, Panacan Private Market, Tibungco Larayan, Matina Aplaya, Toril Public Market, Calinan Public Market, and Mintal Public Market.
She added they strictly monitor the tahong sourced from Samar by confiscating and subjecting the samples to testing. Other types of shellfish however can still be sold at the market.
Sajeda M. Canobas, BFAR XI Aquaculturist II, reiterated that Davao Region is free from toxic red tide based on the latest monitoring of the bays in the region.
According to the latest Shellfish Bulletin No. 22 dated August 30- Balite, and Pujada Bays in Mati, Davao Oriental; Tagabuli Bay, Davao del Sur; Malalag Bay in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur are free from toxic red tide.Shellfish from Domanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte, Daram Island, Zumarraga Island, Irong-irong Bay, Cambatutay Bay, Maqueda Bay in Samar, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, Carigara Bay in Leyte, coastal waters in Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City Palawan are still positive for PSP or toxic red tide that is beyond regulatory limit.
Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption as long as they are washed thoroughly, and internal organs are removed before cooking.
Meanwhile, shellfish from Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte, and Villareal Bay in Samar which were previously found PSP positive are now free from toxic red tide.
The official advised those who consumed tahong before the advisory to seek medical attention as complications from the consumption of shellfish with PSP may lead to death.
