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.

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned against consumption of shellfish from coastal waters in several parts of the country due to contamination.

Based on the agency’s latest laboratory results in coordination with the local government units, shellfish collected in the following areas are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit:

Luzon

• Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal);
• Honda and Puerto Princesa Bays in Puerto Princesa City and Coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound
• Taytay in Palawan; 
• Coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; 

Visayas

• Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; 
• Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental; 
• Coastal Waters of Daram Island, Zumarraga, Irong-irong, San Pedro, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; 
• Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City and Carigara Bay in Leyte; 
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; 

Mindanao

• Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental; 
• Lianga Bay and Coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur; 
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur

Moreover, Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur is also positive for red tide toxin.

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

However, other marine produce such as fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe to eat provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and all internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Tuesday (October 20) advised the public that shellfish harvested in selected areas are tested with high levels of paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

The affected areas include:

• Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan;coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate;
• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
• Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental;
• coastal waters of Daram Island, Zumarraga, and Irong-irong and San Pedro Bays in Western Samar;
• Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte;
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar;
• Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental; and
• Lianga Bay and coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur.

In an advisory, the BFAR said this was confirmed based on the latest laboratory results of the agency and Local Government Units (LGUs).

Meanwhile, the following coastal waters are also confirmed positive of red tide toxin:

• coastal waters of Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal); and
• coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan.

This prompted the agency to issue a warning that shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption.