Bataan coastal waters test positive for red tide toxin —BFAR

Coastal waters of eight towns of Bataan province in Central Luzon have tested positive for harmful red tide toxin.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has raised a red tide alert over the towns of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay, and Samal after finding the presence of toxic algal bloom in waters in the western side of Manila Bay.

Bataan's coastal waters are latest additions to the growing  list of areas that have been declared by the BFAR as having more than the regulatory limits of harmful algal bloom in the country, including:

• Coastal waters of Daram Island, Irong-Irong Bay, Maqueda Bay, and Villareal Bay in Western Samar;
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar;
• Carigara Bay in Leyte;
• Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay and Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan;
• Coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate; and 
• Cambatutay Bay in Western Samar

Shellfish Bulletin No. 37 issued by the BFAR on Friday again warned the public against harvesting, selling, buying or eating all types of shellfish or alamang from the areas covered the alert, as they are "not safe for human consumption."

But fish, squid, shrimps, and crabs from affected areas are safe for human consumption as long as they are fresh, washed thoroughly, and their internal organs are removed before cooking, the BFAR said. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/LBG, GMA News