Fish, shellfish from Cavite still not safe for eating
FISH and shellfish collected in the province of Cavite are still not safe for human consumption.
In its Bataan Oil Spill Bulletin No. 04 Series of 2024, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) the fish and shellfish samples from Cavite did pass the sensory evaluation it conducted.
Sensory evaluation is being done to determine if there are traces of oil and grease due to the oil spill from three motor tankers that capsized in Batasn during the height of typhoon Carina.
However, the BFAR announced that based on the results on sensory evaluations on the fish a samples collected 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘽𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙖𝙣, 𝘽𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙣, 𝙋𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙖, 𝘽𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙤 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙡𝙖 (𝙉𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙨, 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖ñ𝙖𝙦𝙪𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝙋𝙞ñ𝙖𝙨) 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.
The Bureau has been conducting on-ground monitoring and assessment of potentially affected fishing areas and communities surrounding the Manila Bay since the oil spill.
Fish samples are regularly collected and analyzed for traces of oil and grease and presence of harmful contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These tests are important to ensure that fish caught in the potentially affected areas are free from contamination and safe for public consumption.
The BFAR added that the results of chemical testing for presence of PAH on samples collected from Bataan, Bulacan, 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐬, 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚ñ𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐢ñ𝐚𝐬 (𝐍𝐂𝐑) and submitted for analysis showed that PAH concentrations are significantly below levels of concern and pose no significant risk to public health.
The assured that it will BFAR will maintain fish sampling and conduct sensory evaluation to determine the presence of oil and grease in potentially affected areas. Samples will also be continuously tested for presence of PAH.
The BFAR stressed that continuous monitoring and testing are essentials in ensuring the safety of the consuming public.
The BFAR, on the other, urged fisherfolk and the general public to remain calm and monitor the situation through updates issued by government authorities including BFAR.
