Red tide alert up over Milagros, Masbate

Fishermen in Milagros town in Masbate province were warned Wednesday against catching shellfish due to the red tide threat in the area.

 

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources issued Bulletin 22 warning of red tide over Irong-Irong Bay and the nearby coastal area, GMA Bicol's Avril Daja reported.

 

BFAR said shellfish caught in the area could cause paralytic shellfish poisoning.

 

It advised fishermen against catching shellfish including tahong (mussels), as well as alimasag (blue crabs).

 

On the other hand, it advised residents in Milagros to make sure to clean shellfish, shrimp and fish before cooking and eating it.

 

"Anyway, pwede naman pong kainin ang mga isda, pusit, alimango, alimasag as long as it’s fresh and malilinisan na mabuti," said BFAR Bicol information officer Nonie Enolva.

 

Meanwhile, the report said the red tide alert is not likely to affect the supply of shellfish products from Bicol, as many products can come from Sorsogon province.

 

"Ang aming produktong galing ng Sorsogon na tahong, ligtas naman," said one tahong vendor. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News