BFAR urges stricter ‘shellfish checkpoints’ in red tide-affected areas
11/17/2008 | 08:52 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Following several deaths caused by red tide-infected shellfish in Bicol, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) urged local governments in areas affected by red tide to set up stricter "shellfish checkpoints" to prevent similar deaths.
In an interview on dzBB radio, BFAR head Malcolm Sarmiento Jr said the checkpoints should make sure the shellfish being transported was not gathered in any of three bodies of water deemed infected by red tide, including the Sorsogon Bay and Juag Lagoon in Sorsogon; and Dumaguilas Bay in Zamboanga.
"Ang payo na lang namin siguraduhin na lang nila kung pwede malaman saan nanggaling at iwasan ang di nila malaman kung ano ang pinanggalingan (Our advice is to determine the source of the shellfish and to bar the entry of shellfish of doubtful origin)," Sarmiento said.
Sarmiento said he is due to meet in Bicol with local officials in Sorsogon Tuesday on the matter.
"Hanggang di mo mismo malaman o kilala ang nagbebenta at matanong saan galing ang tahong umiwas lalo kung galing Sorsogon Bay (Until they verify the source of the shellfish, they should avoid it)," Sarmiento said.
On the other hand, the official appealed to eaters to at least keep the shellfish away from children if they insist on eating it without verifying the origins of the shellfish.
"Sana huwag ipakain sa mga bata. Yan ang unang nadidisgrasya dahil mahina ang resistensya nila sa lason (Our appeal is that they not let children eat it. Children are vulnerable because their body defenses cannot handle the red tide toxin)," Sarmiento said.
Besides, the official said local government units make up the frontline in efforts to prevent shellfish-related deaths.
"Dapat ang pinakamaganda, aktibo ang local government natin magbantay sa kanilang lugar kung saan may lugar (The ideal scenario is to have local governments keep watch over their respective areas of assignment)," he said. - GMANews.TV
In an interview on dzBB radio, BFAR head Malcolm Sarmiento Jr said the checkpoints should make sure the shellfish being transported was not gathered in any of three bodies of water deemed infected by red tide, including the Sorsogon Bay and Juag Lagoon in Sorsogon; and Dumaguilas Bay in Zamboanga.
"Ang payo na lang namin siguraduhin na lang nila kung pwede malaman saan nanggaling at iwasan ang di nila malaman kung ano ang pinanggalingan (Our advice is to determine the source of the shellfish and to bar the entry of shellfish of doubtful origin)," Sarmiento said.
Sarmiento said he is due to meet in Bicol with local officials in Sorsogon Tuesday on the matter.
"Hanggang di mo mismo malaman o kilala ang nagbebenta at matanong saan galing ang tahong umiwas lalo kung galing Sorsogon Bay (Until they verify the source of the shellfish, they should avoid it)," Sarmiento said.
On the other hand, the official appealed to eaters to at least keep the shellfish away from children if they insist on eating it without verifying the origins of the shellfish.
"Sana huwag ipakain sa mga bata. Yan ang unang nadidisgrasya dahil mahina ang resistensya nila sa lason (Our appeal is that they not let children eat it. Children are vulnerable because their body defenses cannot handle the red tide toxin)," Sarmiento said.
Besides, the official said local government units make up the frontline in efforts to prevent shellfish-related deaths.
"Dapat ang pinakamaganda, aktibo ang local government natin magbantay sa kanilang lugar kung saan may lugar (The ideal scenario is to have local governments keep watch over their respective areas of assignment)," he said. - GMANews.TV
