Daram Island, Western Samar waters positive for red tide toxin

Coastal waters of Daram Island in Daram, Western Samar are now positive for red tide toxin, making shellfishes collected there not safe for human consumption.

In a bulletin dated December 31, 2016, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources included Daram Island in its list of areas positive for paralytic shellfish poison "beyond the regulatory limit."

Still included in the said list are:

• Irong-Irong and Cambatutay Bays, Western Samar;
• Matarinao Bay, Eastern Samar;
• coastal waters of Leyte;
• coastal water of Calubian and Carigara Bay, Leyte;
• coastal waters of Biliran province;
• coastal waters of Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo; and
• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

All types of shellfishes and alamang in these areas "are not safe for human consumption."

Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs, however, are safe to eat "provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly," with their internal organs like gills and intestines "removed before cooking." — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KG, GMA News