Two more consecutive week laboratory tests having negative results to paralytic shellfish poison are needed to lift the shellfish ban in the coastal water in Pilar.
Capiz Office of the Provincial Agriculturist head Sylvia dela Cruz said that in order that the shellfish ban will be lifted, there must be three negative red tide results in the shellfish meat samples, wherin laboratory tests will be conducted weekly.
Dela Cruz explained that so far the first week of laboratory test in the shellfish in Pilar town has been found negative of paralytic shellfish poison but two more consecutive weekly tests are needed.
She also said that the lifting of the ban is done by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources after confirmatory tests by said agency.
She stressed that despite the negative test for the first week, the public are still advised to refrain from harvesting, gathering and eating shellfish from said areas to prevent poisoning.
On the other hand, Dela Cruz revealed that the Sapian Bay, covering the towns of Ivisan and Sapian, remains positive of paralytic shellfish poison and which toxicity level is still beyond the regulatory limit, thus the shellfish ban is still in effect.
All types of shellfish and Acetes species or alamang taken from the red tide-positive areas are not safe for human consumption, she said. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)
