Toxic red tide detected in 8 areas in Visayas, Mindanao

Eight areas in Visayas and Mindanao have been found to be positive for toxic red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Friday.

The BFAR said it conducted tests on shellfish collected from the following areas and these were found to be positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide beyond the regulatory limit:

1. Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; Mambuquiao and Camanci, Batan in Aklan);
2. coastal waters of Roxas City in Capiz;
3. coastal waters of Pontevedra in Capiz;
4. coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles in Iloilo;
5. coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
6. Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur;
7. Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur; and
8. coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte.

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

However, the agency said fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption as long as these are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking. —KG, GMA Integrated News