BFAR detects shellfish poison in 9 coastal waters

Nine areas across the country were found positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Wednesday.

In its latest bulletin, BFAR said that all types of shellfish and acetes, or alamang, from the following areas are not safe for human consumption:

• Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur
• Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
• Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte
• Coastal waters of Dauis and Taglibaran City in Bohol
• Coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate

BFAR said fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from the following areas are safe for consumption, “provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.”

The bulletin also contains the list of areas free from toxic red tide, including Irong-Irong Bay in Western Samar.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News