Toxic red tide detected in 8 areas —BFAR

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has warned the public against consuming all types of shellfish and "alamang" gathered from eight areas due to Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide.

In an advisory dated January 25, the BFAR said it conducted tests on shellfish collected from the following coastal waters and these were found to be positive for PSP beyond the regulatory limit:

• Dauis in Bohol
• Tagbilaran City in Bohol; 
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; 
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur;
• coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte
• coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate;
• San Pedro Bay in Samar; and 
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar

 
According to BFAR, all types of shellfish and "alamang" gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption. 

However, fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from these areas 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 said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News