Tilapia, shrimps safe to eat

MANILA, Philippines — There is no outbreak of diseases in tilapia and shrimps amid the recent fish mortality cases, the Department of Agriculture (DA) clarified yesterday.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an attached agency of the DA, said the recent cases of fish mortality in Taal Lake and Laguna de Bay were due to low oxygen level, which is caused by weather changes.

BFAR emphasized that there is no outbreak of diseases in tilapia and shrimps. It said health certificates have been required in the transport or movement of tilapia fry and fingerlings as well as shrimps in post larvae stage since 2015.

The requirement aims to stop the spread of diseases such as white spot syndrome virus, acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease and early mortality syndrome, as well as the tilapia lake virus which threatens the shrimp and tilapia culture.

Tilapia and shrimps that are brought to wet markets for sale do not require health certificates for transport.

“We would like to emphasize that these diseases do not pose any risk to human health,” BFAR said.

“Should the fish commodities be affected by the said diseases, they are still safe for human consumption, provided they are fresh and thoroughly washed and cleaned before cooking,” it added.

BFAR and its regional offices said they would continue to strictly enforce the requirement in order to prevent the spread of fish diseases and protect the tilapia and shrimp industry.