12 areas positive for red tide toxin, BFAR warns

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday issued a red tide warning after shellfishes collected in 12 areas in the country were found positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
In an advisory, BFAR said that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the following areas are not safe for human consumption:
- Honda and Puerto Princesa Bays in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan
- Coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate
- Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon
- Coastal waters of Daius and Tagbilaran City in Bohol
- Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental
- Coastal waters of Zumarraga in Western Samar
- Coastal waters of Calubian, Leyte, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte
- Coastal waters of Biliran Islands
- Coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar
- Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental
- Lianga Bay and coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur
- Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
“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,” BFAR said.
The agency also reported that the coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan was also found positive for red tide toxin.
On the other hand, coastal waters of Bataan; coastal waters of Daram Island, Cambatutay, Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; and Carigara Bay in Leyte are now free of the toxic red tides.