Red tide alert still up in two Zamboanga bays

A red tide alert is still up in Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Monday. For more than a year now, the bays have tested positive for a high concentration of dinoflagellates, which results in a toxic harmful algal bloom (HAB) known as red tide. Ingestion of shellfish from areas with red tide could lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PSP could lead to “muscle paralysis and respiratory failure…and in these cases death may occur in 2 to 25 hours.” BFAR advised that all types of shellfish and alamang (shrimp fry) gathered from the areas with red tide are not safe for human consumption. However, "Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking," the BFAR said its latest shellfish bulletin. The following areas continue to be free from red tide toxins: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Pinas, Paranaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan; coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Wawa and Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters in Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate, Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Honda and Puerto Bays in Puerto Prinsesa City and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; coastal waters opf E.B Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Caid City, Victorias City, Bago City, Binalbagan and San Enrique in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran province; Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay, Mati Davo Oriental; and Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog, Camiguin Island. — BM, GMA News