2 coastal areas remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison

Two coastal areas in the country remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Wednesday.

BFAR noted that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., also known as alamang, gathered from the following areas are not safe for human consumption:

• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; and
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur.

Meanwhile, 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 added that the following areas are free from toxic red tide:

• coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan,  and Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay, and Samal) in Manila Bay;
• mariculture areas in Infanta, coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual, Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan;
• mariculture areas in Rosario, and Sto. Tomas in La Union;
• coastal waters of Pampanga;
• Masinloc Bay in Zambales;
• Pagbilao Bay, Pagbilao, and coastal waters of Walay, Padre Burgos in Quezon;
• Honda, and Puerto Princesa Bays, Puerto Princesa City, and coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan;
• coastal waters of Milagros Mandaon in Masbate;
• Sorsogon Bay, Juag Lagoon, Matnog in Sorsogon;
• coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles, and Borongon, San Dionisio in Iloilo;
• coastal waters of Roxas City, Panay, President Roxas, and Pilar in Capiz;
• Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; Mambuquiao and Camanci, Batan in Aklan);
• coastal waters of Altavas, Batan, and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan;
• coastal waters of E.B. Magalona, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, and Victorias City in Negros Occidental;
• Tambobo, and Siit Bays, Siaton; and Bais Bay, Bais City in Negros Oriental;
• coastal waters of Daram, and Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Irong-irong, Maqueda, San Pedro and Villareal Bays in Samar;
• coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar;
• coastal waters of Leyte, Calubian, Ormoc, Sogod, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte;
• coastal waters of Biliran Island;
• Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay;
• Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and (Sapang Dalaga, and Baliangao) in Misamis Occidental;
• Panguil Bay, Tangub City, and coastal waters of Ozamiz City in Miamis Occidental;
• coastal waters of Baroy in Lanao del Norte;
• Taguines Lagoon, Benoni, Mahinog in Camiguin;
• Balite, and Pujada Bays, Mati City in Davao Oriental;
• Malalag Bay in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur;
• coastal waters of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte;
• Litalit Bay in Surigao del Norte; and
• coastal waters of Hinatuan, Cortes, Lianga, and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur.

—Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News