BFAR: Honda Bay in Palawan positive for red tide

Coastal waters of Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa city in Palawan are now positive for red tide toxins, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) announced Thursday.

The bay was the latest addition to the list of areas where red tide toxins have been detected. The others were:

• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur;
• Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar;
• Cambatutay Bay, Irong-Irong Bay and Coastal waters of Calbayog City in Western Samar.

The BFAR warned the public against eating all types of shellfish and alamang gathered from these areas as they are not safe for human consumption.

However, fish, squids, shrimps and crabs caught in these waters are safe for consumption provided that these are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs are removed before cooking, BFAR said.

Meanwhile, the following coastal waters in Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, and Bulacan are free from paralytic shellfish poisoning.

Also free from red tide toxins are the waters of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal in Bataan.

Manila Bay is also free from red tide.

Likewise, the waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon.

Also, Puerto Bay 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 of E.B Magalona, Pontevedra, Palupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City, Binalbagan and San Enrique in Negros Occidental.

Also red tide-free so far are Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran province; Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay, Mati Davao Oriental; and Taguines Lagoon in Benono Mahinog in Camiguin Island.  — KBK, GMA News