BFAR: 'Red tide' warning on shellfish up in 4 areas

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday warned that shellfish collected in four different areas of the country are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison.

BFAR's latest bulletin said all types of acetes, or alamang, gathered from the following areas are "not safe for human consumption":

• Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbiliran City in Bohol
• Balite Bay - Mati City, Davao Oriental
• San Pedro Bay - Western Samar
• Lianga Bay - Surigao del Sur

BFAR, however, clarified that "fish, squid, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking."

The bulletin, which was signed by Fisheries Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona, also listed areas that continue to be free from toxic red tides. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News