The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has warned the public against eating shellfish and shrimps that may be contaminated with red tide in the coastal waters of Bohol and Zamboanga del Sur.
In a bulletin issued on Wednesday, the BFAR said that shellfish samples collected and tested from the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; as well as Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur were still positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or red tide toxin beyond the regulatory limit.
“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the area shown above are not safe for human consumption,” the bulletin stated.
Villagers living in these areas were cautioned from harvesting, selling, buying and eating these kinds of seafood.
Meanwhile, the agency noted that other marine species such as fish, and squids among others were safe provided that they were cleaned thoroughly.
“Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are 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.
At the same time, BFAR said the following areas continue to be free from the red tide toxin: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay, and Samal) in Manila Bay; mariculture areas in Infanta, coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual, and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; mariculture areas in Rosario, and Sto. Tomas in La Union; coastal waters of Pampanga; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; Pagbilao Bay, Pagbilao, and coastal waters of Walay, Padre Burgos in Quezon; Honda, and Puerto Princesa Bays, Puerto Princesa City, and coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan.
The following areas in the Visayas are also free from red tide: coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Sorsogon Bay, and Juag Lagoon, Matnog in Sorsogon; coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles, and Borongon, San Dionisio in Iloilo; coastal waters of Roxas City, Panay, President Roxas, and Pilar in Capiz; Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; Mambuquiao and Camanci, Batan in Aklan); coastal waters of Altavas, Batan, and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan; coastal waters of E. B. Magalona, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, and Victorias City in Negros Occidental; Tambobo, and Slit Bays, Siaton; and Bais Bay, Bais City in Negros Oriental; coastal waters of Daram, and Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Irong-irong, Maqueda, San Pedro and Villareal Bays in Samar; coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Calubian, Ormoc, Sogod, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte.
The other areas in Mindanao are also safe from red tide.
BFAR said these are the coastal waters of Biliran Island; Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and (Sapang Dalaga, and Baliangao) in Misamis Occidental; Panguil Bay, Tangub City, and coastal waters of Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental; coastal waters of Baroy in Lanao del Norte; Taguines Lagoon, Benoni, Mahinog in Camiguin; Balite, and Pujada Bays, Mati City in Davao Oriental; Malalag Bay in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur; coastal waters of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte; Litalit Bay in Surigao del Norte; and coastal waters of Hinatuan, Cortes, Lianga, and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur.