Pangasinan seaweed found positive for toxin

BOLINAO, Pangasinan , Philippines  – The laboratory examination on the sample of seaweed locally known as kulot done by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources showed it was positive for polycavernoside toxin. 

BFAR Regional Director Nestor Domenden said this is the reason why an advisory banning the gathering, selling and eating of this kulot is in effect and regular monitoring is done jointly by his agency and the local government unit of Bolinao.

Last month, a father and son Rey and German Honrada, aged 74 and 34, respectively, from Barangay Patar this town, died after eating kulot while four others were hospitalized.

This prompted BFAR to immediately send a team to gather samples of the seaweeds variety in the area.   – Eva Visperas