BFAR: Six areas positive for toxic red tide

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday said shellfish collected from six areas tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide.

These areas are:

• coastal waters of Bolinao, Pangasinan;
• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City, Bohol;
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur;
• coastal waters of Milagros, Masbate;
• Litalit Bay, San Benito, Surigao del Norte; and
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.

BFAR said all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang collected from the above-mentioned areas are "not safe for human consumption."

"Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking," BFAR National Director Commodore Eduardo Gongona said in an advisory. —KG, GMA News