Latest news with #BFAR
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar positive for red tide toxin
Matarinao Bay in the Province of Eastern Samar (specifically in the Municipalities of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo) is under shellfish ban. According to an advisory of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on July 14, 2025, shellfish meat samples collected from Matarinao Bay are found positive for red tide toxin (saxitoxin). 'Hence, all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. locally known as 'alamang' or 'hipon' from this bay are not safe for human consumption,' the BFAR advisory read. Further, filtered seawater samples collected from Irong-Irong Bay (Catbalogan City, Province of Samar) remains positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a dinoflagellate that produces red tide toxin (saxitoxin). 'The public is also advised to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. locally known as 'alamang' or 'hipon' from this area to avoid possible Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP),' the BFAR advisory added. Further, BFAR said that fish, squid, crab, and shrimp are safe to eat provided that these are 'fresh, all entrails are removed, and washed thoroughly with running water before cooking.'
Filipino Times
13-07-2025
- Filipino Times
Tawilis prices crash amid Taal Lake dumping allegations, say fishers
The price of tawilis, a freshwater sardine endemic to Taal Lake, has dropped to an all-time low following disturbing claims that the bodies of missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) were dumped in the lake, a local fishers' group reported on Sunday, July 13. According to Pamalakaya, a kilo of tawilis in some Cavite markets now sells for ₱100, down from the usual ₱250. The group said this price collapse is severely hurting local fishers who are already struggling due to months of limited fishing caused by the southwest monsoon (Habagat). Despite reassurances from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that Taal fish remain safe to eat, public fear continues to impact demand. Pamalakaya is calling on the Department of Agriculture and BFAR to step in by buying fish at fair prices and encouraging the public to support Taal Lake fish products. The price drop comes amid claims from a witness in the sabungeros case that the victims' bodies were dumped in the lake. Authorities have recovered several sacks from Taal and are currently investigating if they are connected to the missing persons case.
GMA Network
29-06-2025
- GMA Network
Tawilis from Taal Lake safe to eat, says BFAR
Tawilis fished from Taal Lake are safe for human consumption, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Sunday, following a whistleblower's claims that the bodies of missing sabungeros, or cockfighters, abducted in 2021 were thrown into its waters. According to the BFAR, tawilis is a small pelagic fish that usually stays in shallow waters, and feeds on plankton. It also clarified that tawilis, a freshwater sardine, naturally multiplies its population quickly. 'Wala pong dapat ipangamba kasi unang una, itong tawilis, small pelagic fish po siya at ang pagkain niya nga po, 'yung mga planktons na kabilang na diyan 'yung mga plant-based planktons, at hindi po sila masabi nating carnivorous,' BFAR chief information officer Nazzer Briguera said in a report on GMA's '24 Oras Weekend' on Sunday. (There is nothing to fear because firstly, the tawilis is a small pelagic fish and it feeds on planktons, including plant-based planktons, and we cannot say that it is carnivorous.) The agency also clarified that other fish such as tilapia and bangus are usually cultured in fish pens, and do not freely swim in Taal Lake. This comes as sellers in the area have reported a decline in their sales, citing fears of consumers that the fish in the lake may have eaten human remains. They have already clarified that the fish sold in markets were raised by the fisherfolk. "Totoy," one of the accused in the disappearance of the 34 cockfighters, earlier claimed that their bodies were thrown into Taal Lake after being caught cheating by weakening their own roosters and betting on their opponents' roosters. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- GMA Network
PH accuses China ships of aggressive maneuvers in Scarborough Shoal
The Philippines accused Chinese Coast Guard ships on Friday of carrying out aggressive maneuvers and targeting its fisheries vessels with water cannons while they were delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen at the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Friday. One of the four Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels involved in the mission was briefly struck by a water cannon, while another evaded being hit, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. ''At approximately 10 a.m., BRP Datu Taradapit faced aggressive maneuvers from the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-4203, which approached within 600 yards and fired a water cannon from 15.6 nautical miles southwest of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal,'' the PCG said. ''Despite these aggressive actions, including blocking maneuvers and a water cannon attack that briefly struck the port quarter of BRP Datu Taradapit, the vessel adeptly maneuvered away to avoid significant damage. At 10:30 a.m., CCG-3105 targeted BRP Datu Tamblot with a water cannon from a distance of 18.1 nautical miles southeast of the shoal, but the attack missed its mark,'' it added. The PCG said it monitored six China Coast Guard vessels, two PLA Navy warships, and multiple Chinese maritime militia vessels during the operation. It also said the BFAR was able to distribute fuel subsidies to over 20 local fishing boats. ''Despite the unprofessional and illegal actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, which endangered Filipino crew members and fishermen, BFAR vessels remained resolute in their mission to protect local fishing boats,'' the PCG said. Scarborough Shoal, which is also referred to as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, is a triangular coral reef formation that surrounds a lagoon and is famed for its rich marine resources. The shoal is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China refused to recognize the ruling. — with a report from Reuters/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG sends 2 vessels to escort Atin Ito civilian mission to West PH Sea
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said it has deployed two of its vessels to escort Atin Ito Coalition's civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from May 26 to 30. PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela identified the two vessels as BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua. 'Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking barko ng PCG, ay umalis na sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan patungo sa El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido,' he said in a press briefing. (Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, one of the largest ships of the PCG, departed Puerto Princesa, Palawan heading to El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido.) 'And for the other vessel na sinabi ni [Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan] na ipapadala namin, BRP Malapascua is also prepositioned as well in El Nido, Palawan,' he added. (And for the other vessel that the Commandant said we will send, BRP Malapascua is also prepositioned as well in El Nido, Palawan.) Atin Ito, over the weekend, said its civilian-led mission to the WPS will continue despite the recent aggression of Chinese vessels in Sandy Cay. 'We proceed as planned, and we hope to conduct our musical event, ideally and safely within the vicinity of Pag asa Island. Ang dala natin ay kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng musika, hindi lenguwahe ng giyera,' Atin Ito Coalition convenor Rafaela David said in a statement. (What we bring is peace through music, not the language of war.) A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon and sideswiped a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the WPS on May 22. BFAR said its BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya were on a routine mission with a scientific team to collect sand samples in the area. 'At approximately 0913H, CCG vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) twice, resulting in some damage to the latter's port bow and smokestack, and putting at risk lives of its civilian personnel onboard,' BFAR said. 'This incident marks the first time water cannons have been used against DA-BFAR research vessels in the area of the Pag-Asa Cays,' it added. The bureau pointed out that the incident happened within the territorial sea of the Philippines in the area of Pag-asa Island and Pag-asa Cay 2, which are part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS. CCG said that it took "control measures" against the Philippine vessels which it said "illegally intruded" into waters near Subi Reef and Sandy Cay. Liu Dejun, the CCG spokesperson, claimed that one of the Philippine vessels "dangerously" approached and collided with their ship, and that responsibility "lies entirely" with the Philippine side. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
