Nine areas positive for toxic red tide —BFAR

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) identified nine areas that have tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide beyond the regulatory limit.

In its Shellfish Bulletin No. 25 dated Friday and posted on Saturday, the BFAR said its tests conducted with local government units showed that the following areas had paralytic shellfish poison:

• Milagros in Masbate;
• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
• San Pedro Bay in Western Samar;
• coastal waters of Biliran Islands;
• Carigara Bay in Leyte;
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar;
• Dumanquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur;
• Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; and
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur 

"All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas shown above are NOT SAFE for human consumption," the BFAR said.

It added that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from these areas may be eaten but these must be fresh and washed thoroughly first, with internal organs such as gills and intestines removed prior to cooking. —KG, GMA News