The City Government of Puerto Princesa has issued Local Red Tide Warning dated October 20, 2020 warning the public not to consume shellfish collected from Honda Bay.
The advisory was issued by the Office of the City Mayor, Lucilo R. Bayron, signed by City Administrator, Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, by the authority of the City Mayor.
The warning was issued based on the results of the red tide monitoring of City Government of Puerto Princesa and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
“Shellfish samples collected from Honda Bay are now positive for red tide toxins,” the Warning states.
It said that Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin level in two of the samples from the said area obtained 64.56 and 70.66 ugSTXeq/100g of shellfish meat respectively.
“To safeguard human lives, this WARNING is issue to advice the consuming public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. Locally known as Alamang taken from Honda Bay to avoid possible shellfish poisoning,” the warning said.
Honda Bay is considered as principal source of the city’s shellfishes that are sold in the two public markets and barangay talipapas.
“The public is hereby informed that fish, squid, crabs, and other edible marine products not specified above are safe for human consumptions provided that these are all fresh and internal organs or entrails are removed and thoroughly washed before cooking,” the warning further said.
Scientific studies said that consuming shellfish with red tide toxins may affect an individual’s nervous system. Initial reactions may include numbness in lips, tongue, spreading to the face, neck, fingertips, and toes.
Other symptoms include headache, nausea and dizziness. In severe cases, people may experience muscular paralysis and respiratory difficulty within 12 hours after consumption.
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