BFAR finds more areas in Visayas, Mindanao ‘positive’ for red tide

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) issued on Sunday a warning against gathering, selling and consuming shellfish in 23 coastal areas, mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao, which were found to be positive of “red tide” poisoning.

In Shellfish Bulletin 5 issued February 26 and signed by BFAR National

Director Eduardo B. Gongona, the Murcielagos Bay (Sapang Dalaga and Baliangao) and Coastal waters of Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental; and Taguines Lagoon, Benoni, Mahinog, in Camiguin are the latest to join the areas to be declared positive for red tide toxin.

Based on the latest laboratory results of BFAR and Local Government

Units (LGUS), the shellfishes collected in the coastal waters the following areas in the Visayas and Mindanao are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

These are the Inner Malampaya Sound; Taytay in Palawan; Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Coastal Waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental; Coastal waters of Daram Island, Zumarraga, San Pedro and Cambatutay bays in Western Samar; coastal waters of Calubian, Leyte; Carigara Bay, Ormoc Bay and Cancato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; coastal waters of Biliran Islands; coastal waters of Guiuan and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; 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.

All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. (alamang) gathered from the areas shown above are not safe for human consumption, the BFAR said.

It also recommends that while fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption, they must be fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

The coastal waters of ca vi te, las piñ as, Paraña que, navotas,b ula can and bataan (including Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal) and the Manila Bay area remains free from toxic red tides.

Similarly, the coastal waters of Pangasinan namely Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual, Wawa, and Bani, coastal waters of Pampanga; the Masiloc Bay in Zambales, Honda and Puerto Princesa Bays and Puerto Princesa City in Palawan; Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon, Matnog in Sorsogon remain red tide-free, the BFAR said.

Other areas the BFAR declared free of the red tide poisoning are: coastal waters of Gigantes Island, Carles in Iloilo; coastal waters of Pilar, Panay, President Roxas, and Roxas City in Capiz; the Sapian Bay in Ivisan and Sablan in Capiz; Mambucquiao and Camanci, Batan in Aklan; Altavas, Batan and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan; coastal waters of E.B. Magalona, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran and Victorias City in Negros Occidental; Siit Bay, Siaton and Bais Bay, Bais City, in Negros Oriental; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; Panguil Bay, Tangub City in Misamis Oriental; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; coastal waters of Nasipit, in Agusan del Norte; Bislig Bay and coastal waters of Cortez, Surigao del Sur; and, Litalit Bay in Surigao del Norte.