Red tide alert up over nine provinces, BFAR says

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday said coastal areas in nine provinces were found to be positive for the red tide toxin.

The BFAR and local government units examined collected shellfish from the following areas and found these to be "still positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit":

• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
• coastal waters of Biliran Island;
• coastal waters of Daram Island, Maqueda, Villareal, Cambatutay, Irong-Irong, and San Pedro Bays in Western Samar;
• Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte;
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar;
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur;
• coastal waters of Baroy in Lanao del Norte; and
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur

Meanwhile, coastal waters in Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal in Bataan have tested positive for the red tide toxin, BFAR said.

"All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas shown above are NOT SAFE for human consumption," it said.

However, "fish, squids, 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," BFAR clarified.

The agency also said Carigara Bay and the coastal waters of Leyte in Leyte were found to have no toxic red tides anymore. —KG, GMA News