18 areas found to be positive for toxic red tide — BFAR

Eighteen areas were found to be positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide that was beyond the regulatory limit, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) announced Saturday.

In its latest shellfish bulletin, BFAR said that all types of shellfish and acetes, also known as alamang, from the following areas were not safe for human consumption:

•    Coastal waters of Zumarraga in Western Samar
•    Villareal Bay in Western Samar
•    Cambatutay Bay in Western Samar
•    Carigara Bay in Leyte
•    Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte
•    Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur
•    Coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur
•    Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur
•    Balite Bay in Davao Oriental
•    Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte
•    Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental
•    Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol
•    Ormoc Bay in Leyte
•    Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan
•    Coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte
•    Coastal waters of Calubian in Leyte
•    Coastal waters of Biliran Islands
•    Coastal waters of Daram Island in Western Samar

However, the BFAR said that fish, squid, shrimps, and crabs were safe for human consumption as long as they were fresh and washed thoroughly while their internal organs such as gills and intestines were removed before cooking.

The bulletin also contains the list of areas free from toxic red tide. — DVM, GMA News