Public urged not to panic over poisonous squid

RANONG, March 1 (TNA) -- The Ranong Local Fishery Community in the Thai southern region is worried that consumers would panic, after internet users have shared a story of seafood purchasing from a weekend market which has been mixed with the poisonous Blue-ring Octopus. President of the Ranong Local Fishery Community in Kapur district of Ranong province, Somchai Hassachak said that after the rumours about the Blue-ring Octopus have spread, it has somewhat affected local consumers causing some to even panic. He said fishermen have once in a while caught the said species of the octopus in the past, but the catch is actually quite rare. Once the animal is caught, the fishermen would usually separate them from other octopus straight away. He advised consumers not to panic, noting that if one was missed during the first screening by fishermen, it would still undergo other selection processes before they reach the hands of consumers. Fishery specialist at the Ranong Fishery Centre, Montri Sumontha, meanwhile, gave more information about the octopus, informing that the marine species could be found in both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman sea. He said the octopus is highly poisonous, small in size and could be easily identified due to the bluish or purplish rings all over its body and could glow when threatened. Mr Montri noted that the octopus is very beautiful to look act, but dangerous as even after it is thoroughly cooked the poison would still remain and could cause death when consumed. He said since the rumours have spread, the centre has been on extra alert, adding that authorities were able to find a similar looking squid being sold at some local markets and have sent them to be verified in order to be on to look out for more and to find out the origin of where they came from. (TNA)