The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is reminding fisherfolk and consumers that the red flag for red tide poisoning in shellfish is still up in various areas.
The BFAR said these areas include Sapian Bay, the coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Roxas City in Capiz, Gigantes Islands, Carles in Iloilo, the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol, and in Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur.
BFAR reiterated its warning that shellfish from the said areas are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide that was found to be beyond the regulatory limit.
All types of shellfish and shrimp fry or “alamang” gathered from the said 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.
Meanwhile BFAR noted that the following areas continue to be free from the toxic red tide – the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, and Bataan in Manila Bay; mariculture areas in Infanta, coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual, and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; mariculture areas in Rosario, and Sto. Tomas in La Union; coastal waters of Pampanga; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; Pagbilao Bay, Pagbilao, and coastal waters of Walay, Padre Burgos in Quezon; Honda, and Puerto Princesa Bays, Puerto Princes City, and coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan; coastal waters of Milagros, and Mandaon in Masbate; Sorsogon Bay, and Juag Lagoon, Matnog in Sorsogon; coastal waters of Borongon, San Dionisio in Iloilo; 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 Sit Bays, Siaton; and Bais Bay, Bais City in Negros Oriental; coastal waters of Daram, and Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Maqueda, and Villareal Bays in Samar; coastal waters of Guan in Eastern Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Calubian, Ormoc, Sogod, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte.
Coastal waters of Biliran Island; Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and (Sapang Dalaga, and Baliangao) in Misamis Occidental; Panguil Bay, Tangub City, and coastal waters of Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental; coastal waters of Baroy in Lanao del Norte; Taguines Lagoon, Benoni, Mahing in Camiguin; Balite, and Pujada Bays, Mati City in Davao Oriental; Malalag Bay in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur; coastal waters of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte; Litalit Bay in Surigao del Norte; and coastal waters of Hinatuan, Cortes, and Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur.
The fisheries agency said the coastal waters of Panay in Capiz is now free of the toxic red tide.