BFAR warns of shellfish poisoning in 20 coastal areas across PH

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has issued a warning against consumption of shellfish gathered from 20 coastal areas across the country.
Based on latest laboratory results, shellfish collected from the following coastal waters are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit:
- 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, and Cancabato 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;
- Lianga Bay and Coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur.
Meanwhile, Ormoc Bay in Leyte is now positive for red tide toxin, the BFAR said.
Thus, the agency warned that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption.
However, other seafoods like fish, squids, shrimps, 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.