BFAR: 9 coastal waters, bays positive for toxic red tide

Nine coastal areas and bays have remained positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide beyond the regulatory limit, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

In a shellfish bulletin dated September 16, BFAR said that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., also known as alamang, collected from the following areas are not safe for human consumption:

• Coastal waters of Zumarraga Island in Samar,
• Coastal waters of Daram Island,
• Carigara Bay in Leyte,
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur,
• Coastal waters of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay Province,
• Cambatutay Bay in Samar,
• Irong-Irong Bay in Samar,
• Maqueda Bay in Samar
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar

According to BFAR, only fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs coming 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.

Individuals suffering from PSP may experience symptoms such as the tingling of lips and tongue minutes after eating poisonous shellfish.

Meanwhile, Puerto Princesa Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, as well as the coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte are now free of the toxic red tide. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News