Red tide detected in 9 coastal areas —BFAR

Nine coastal areas in the country tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide beyond the regulatory limit, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Thursday. 

In its August 1 bulletin, the BFAR said red tide toxins were detected in shellfishes collected and tested from the following areas:  

• Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
• San Benito in Surigao del Norte
• Daram Island, Zumarraga Island and Cambatutay Bay in Samar
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar
• Cancabato Bay in Leyte 

“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas above are not safe for human consumption. Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” it said. 

Meanwhile, the BFAR said the coastal towns of tide Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, and Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay, and Samal) in Manila Bay continue to be free from toxic red tide.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News