Parasites, whose larvae live in orifices of sharks and stingrays, may harm humans when ingested through the favorite Bicol dish “kinunot,” a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) official said. Nonie Enolva, spokesperson for BFAR in the Bicol region, said that the agency’s personnel observed the presence of a species of parasite called Phyllobothrium delphini in stranded sea mammals, sharks and stingrays. Stingray or shark meat is used as main ingredient in kinunot. The shredded meat is cooked in coconut milk with lemon or vinegar and malunggay (Moringa), and spiced with red or green pepper, tomatoes, ginger, onions and garlic.

Escandor, J. Jr. (2017, October 17). BFAR warns about parasites in sharks, stingrays. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A16.