9 areas still positive for ‘red tide’–bfar

COASTAL waters of Milagros in Masbate, Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; San Pedro in Western Samar; Matariano Bay in Eastern Samar; Dumanguilas Bay in mzamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; Mucielagos Bay in Misamis Occidental, particularly Sapang Dalaga and Baliangao; Balite Bay in Mati City, Davao Oriental; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic “red tide,” the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported on Monday.

As such, 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,” the BFAR through Shellfish Bulletin No. 23 dated August 2, 2021 read.

Meanwhile, BFAR said that Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon is now free of the toxic red tide.

Other areas that continue to be free from toxic red tide are: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, and Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal) in Manila Bay; coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; coastal waters of Pampanga; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; Pagbilao Bay, Pagbilao, and coastal waters of Walay, Padre Burgos in Quezon; Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa Bays, Puerto Princesa City, and coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan; coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon, Matnog in Sorsogon; coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles in Iloilo; coastal waters of Pilar, Panay, President Roxas, and Roxas City in Capiz; Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; Mambuquiao and Camanci, Batan in Aklan); coastal waters of 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;

Tambobo and Siit Bays, Siaton, and Bais Bay, Bais City in Negros Oriental; coastal waters of Daram Island, and Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, and Calubian, Carigara and Ormoc Bays, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; coastal waters of Biliran Islands; Panguil Bay, Tangub City and coastal waters of Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental; Taguines Lagoon, Benoni, Mahinog in Camiguin; and coastal waters of Hinatuan, Cortez and Lingig, and Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur.