The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is warning the public against eating barracuda from Cuyo Pass in response to the growing information and concerns about reported ciguatera fish poisoning.

Malcolm Sarmiento Jr., BFAR director, said their findings is that barracuda fished from Cuyo Pass and landed in Barangay Butuan, Anini-y, Antique, were found to be positive for ciguatoxin.

"Ciguatoxin is produced by benthic microscopic dinoflagellates most popularly known as Gambierdiscus toxicus. Ciguatera are colorless, odorless, tasteless, and are unaffected by heating or freezing," he said. "This toxin is highly concentrated in the internal organs of fishes such as the livers, roe, etc. Toxins concentrate in the head and viscera more than the flesh of the fish," Sarmiento added.

Ciguatera fish poisoning may occur within hours of eating an affected fish.

Symptoms may including vomiting, diarrhea, body and muscle aches, headaches, numbness and tingling sensation around the mouth, hands and feet, temperature-sensory reversal, acute sensitivity to temperature extremes and muscular weakness, he said.*CPG

back to top