HARVESTING of all types of shellfish in several coastal waters and bays in the Mindanao and Visayas regions is still prohibited due to the continued presence of toxic red tide in the areas.

In its Shellfish Bulletin No. 06, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that the shellfishes collected and tested from coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; San Pedro Bay in Samar; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur are still “positive” for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or “red tide” that is beyond the regulatory limit.

However, the BFAR reported that the coastal waters of Panay, President Roxas, and Pilar in Capiz are now free from red tide.

The BFAR warned that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or “alamang” gathered from the said areas are unsafe for human consumption.

But the fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs harvested from the same areas are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and the internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

Meanwhile, the areas that remain free from toxic red tide are the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, and Bataan in Manila Bay.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Cory Martinez