Fish in all areas in Manila Bay safe to eat —BFAR

Fish and other seafood products from the fishing areas surrounding Manila Bay potentially affected by the oil spill in Limay, Bataan on July 25, 2024 are safe for consumption, according to the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR). 

BFAR said all samples of fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and shellfish collected on August 27 from Bacoor City, Cavite City, Noveleta, Rosario, and Tanza are safe. 

This was after it conducted a series of monitoring activities and analyses to ensure the safety of consumption of fish and other seafood products from the fishing areas surrounding Manila Bay. 

Meanwhile, fish and other seafood products in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Batangas, and Metro Manila, as well as municipalities of Naic, Ternate, Kawit, and Maragondon in the province of Cavite have already been declared safe for human consumption. 

“Bulletin No. 4 dated August 13, 2024, and Bataan Oil Spill Bulletin No. 5 dated August 22, 2024, respectively, remain safe for human consumption based on the result of the latest analyses conducted by the DA-BFAR,” it said in a press statement.

“Based on the stated results, the public is therefore informed that fish in ALL areas in Manila Bay potentially affected by the oil spill are now safe for human consumption,” it added.

Earlier BFAR said damages resulting from the oil spill could reach up to P350 million and affect over 46,000 fishermen in Central Luzon, Region 4A, and National Capital Region. —Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News