BFAR: 9 Visayas, Mindanao coastal areas positive for toxic red tide

Nine coastal areas in the Visayas and Mindanao tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide beyond the regulatory limit, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

In a shellfish bulletin dated October 21, BFAR said that all types of shellfish and acetes, also known as alamang, collected from the following areas were not safe for human consumption:

• coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate;
• Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian) in Capiz;
• coastal waters of Roxas City in Capiz;
• coastal waters of President Roxas in Capiz;
• coastal waters of Panay in Capiz;
• coastal waters of Pilar in Capiz;
• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and;
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur

The agency, however, said that other seafood aside from shellfish collected from the above areas were 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 said.

Individuals suffering from PSP may experience symptoms such as the tingling of lips and tongue minutes after eating poisonous shellfish. — DVM, GMA News