HARVESTING of all types of shellfish in four bays and several coastal areas in the Visayas and Mindanao regions is prohibited because of toxic red tide.

In its Shellfish Bulletin No. 20, Series of 2022, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported that shellfishes collected and tested from Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian), coastal waters of Roxas City, Panay, President Roxas, and Pilar in Capiz; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur are still “positive” for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit.

The BFAR also said that the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate are also now positive for PSP.

The BFAR warned that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or “alamang” gathered from the said areas are not safe for human consumption.

However, the BFAR said that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs harvested from the same areas are safe for human consumption, provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly. The internal organs, such as gills and intestines, must be removed before cooking.

Meanwhile, the BFAR disclosed that the areas that continue to be free from toxic red tide are the 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; and Masinloc Bay in Zambales.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Cory Martinez