Oysters and mussels are among the major aquaculture species of the Philippines with production values of P203.4 million and P273.7 million, respectively, in 2016, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).But there are concerns raised over the safety of consuming these shellfish products. Along this line, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) scientist Dr. Sharon Nuñal presented her ongoing study on shellfish consumption during the Media Brunch on Blue Economy for Sustainable Seas on Dec 6, 2017, at Hotel Del Rio, Iloilo City. Based on Nuñal’s presentation, 55 percent of seafood-associated outbreaks infections are linked to consumption of mollusks and two of five people affected with norovirus are caused by oysters and mussels.

Zerrudo, I. M. A. (2017, December 11). Scientist develops detection tool for safer shellfish. The Daily Guardian, p. B1.