Toxic red tide detected in nine areas, BFAR says

Nine areas tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide beyond the regulatory limit as of October 26, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Friday.

These areas are:

• Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; Mambuquiao and Camanci, Batan in Aklan);
• coastal waters of Pilar in Capiz;
• coastal waters of President Roxas in Capiz;
• coastal waters of Roxas City in Capiz;
• coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles in Iloilo;
• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur;
• coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte; and
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.

The BFAR said tests were conducted on shellfish collected from the above-mentioned areas.

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

However, "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. —KG, GMA Integrated News