Harvesting of all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang is still prohibited in at least seven bays in Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao regions due to the presence of toxic red tide in the said areas.

In its Shellfish Bulletin No. 20, Series of 2021, shellfishes collected in Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Irong-irong Bay in Western Samar; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; Murcielagos Bay (Sapang Dalaga and Baliangao) in Misamis Occidental; Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental; 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 coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate, Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol are also still positive with the toxic red tide, while the Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar is now positive for PSP.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources warned that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the said areas are not safe for human consumption.

Meanwhile, fish, squids, shrimps and crabs being harvested 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.

The areas that continue to be free from toxic red tide, on the other hand, are the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Cory Martinez