BFAR: Red tide in Bataan coastal waters, no harvesting shellfish
Harvesting of all types of shellfishes in the coastal waters of Bataan is now prohibited due to the presence of red tide toxin in the said area.
In Shellfish Bulletin No. 30 series of 2021 issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the coastal waters of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal, all in Bataan, are now positive for the red tide toxin.
Aside from the Bataan coastal waters, other coastal waters and bays in the country which are still positive for red tide toxin are the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; of Biliran Island; of Daram Island, Maqueda, Villareal, Cambatutay, Irong-Irong and San Pedro Bays in Western Samar; Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; coastal waters of Baroy in Lanao del Norte; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.
BFAR cautioned that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the said areas are not safe for human consumption.
However, fish, squids, shrimps and crabs collected from the same areas are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and the internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
Meanwhile, the BFAR disclosed that the Carigara Bay and coastal waters of Leyte in Leyte are now free of the toxic red tides.
