Dagupan City in Pangasinan has become stricter in the entry of fish into its markets following the confiscation of barrels of dead fish known locally as “tangok.”

Tangok are fish that died from oxygen starvation.

Those caught with the fish allegedly tried to slip the fish into the city’s markets. They are now facing charges.

The problem with tangok is that it can cause food poisoning.

“Baka mamaya, magkaroon ng food poisoning na tinatawag kaya delikadong-delikado talaga na kainin ang tangok,” said Jaime Serna, head of the Dagupan City Anti-Littering Task Force.

Personnel of the task force and the City Agriculture Office confiscated the fish that were transported from the town of Bugallon, also in Pangasinan, on board two motorboats 

The fish have were buried.

Because of the incident, the city’s fish wardens are now stricter during inspection of the fish dealers bring into the markets.

“Ang ginagawa ng mga fish warden ay dino-double check nila ang mga pumapasok. Sila ang may authority para mag-check sa mga isda,” Serna said.

Fish dealers caught bringing “tangok” into the markets will lose their permit.

Now, buyers like Beng Tumanan and Manolita Quitlong are more discerning with the fish they buy.

“Kapag tangok, medyo madilaw na ‘yung kulay. Iba na ‘yun, matigas na ‘yung iba. Makikita mo kung sariwa sa itsura niya,” Tumanan said.

“Elado na siya o matagal na naka-stock kapag mapula ‘yung mata. Dapat fresh, makintab,” Quitlong said.