THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has issued “red tide” warning for shellfishes collected in several provinces in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol and the Visayas regions.
Based on the latest laboratory results of the BFAR and concerned local government units (LGUs), shellfishes collected at Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and coastal waters of Pampanga and Bataan including Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
Moreover, the BFAR’s Shellfish Bulletin 1, released by the Information and Fisherfolk Coordination Unit has added Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte among areas that are positive for red tide toxin.
This means that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., or alamang, gathered from such areas are not safe for human consumption.
On the other hand, fish squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly.
Eduardo Gongona, undersecretary for Fisheries and concurrent director of the Department of Agriculture-BFAR added that internal organs such as gills and intestines must be removed before cooking. All other areas not identified in the Shellfish Bulletin continue to be free from toxic red tides.