Toxic red tide detected in coastal waters of Masbate, 6 other provinces

Parts of the coastal waters of Masbate and six other provinces in Visayas and Mindanao were found to have toxic red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Friday.

The BFAR said shellfishes collected from the following areas tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide beyond the regulatory limit:

• coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate;
• coastal waters of Panay, President Roxas, and Pilar in Capiz;
• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
• San Pedro Bay in Samar;
• Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte;
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; and
• Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.

"All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas shown are NOT SAFE for human consumption," the BFAR said.

However, fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs taken from the above-mentioned areas are safe to eat as long as they are fresh and washed thoroughly, with their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking, it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News