Several coastal areas positive for toxic red tide —BFAR

Several coastal areas in Visayas and Mindanao were found positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Tuesday.

Based on its latest shellfish bulletin, all types of shellfish and acetes, also known as alamang, gathered from the following areas are not safe for human consumption:

• Coastal waters of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal in Bataan;
• Coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate;
• Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur;
• Litalit Bay, San Benito in Surigao del Norte; and
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.

Meanwhile, the BFAR said coastal waters of Biliran Islands; Leyte, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; San Pedro Bay in Samar; Guiuan, and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar are now free of the toxic red tide.

Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs gathered from said areas are safe for human consumption, according to the agency.

“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,” it added. —Richa Noriega/KG, GMA News