Nine coastal areas still positive for ‘red tide’ poisoning–bfar

AT least nine coastal areas in six provinces remain positive for red tide poisoning, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) announced on Wednesday.

Shellfish Bulletin 8 dated March 29, 2021 revealed that based on the latest laboratory results of the BFAR and local government units (LGUS), shellfish collected at the coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan; Coastal Waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental; Coastal Waters of Calubian, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental; and Lianga Bay and coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

According to BFAR, all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas are not safe for human consumption.

Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

Meanwhile, areas previously found positive for red tide poisoning have been declared free of deadly toxin. These are Murcielagos Bay (Sapang Dalaga and Baliangao) and coastal waters of Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental; and Taguines Lagoon, Benoni, Mahinog, in Camiguin are now free of the toxic red tides.