BFAR: 6 areas test positive for toxic red tide

The Department of Agriculture’s Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that six different areas have tested positive for toxic red tide.

According to their Shellfish Bulletin no. 8 issued on April 30, shellfish collected from the following areas have tested positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) beyond the regulatory limit:

• Coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate
• San Pedro Bay in Samar
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar
• Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol
• Damanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
• Coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte

“All types of shellfish and acetes or alamang gathered from the areas shown above are not safe for human consumption,” BFAR said.

However, fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from these areas 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. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VAL, GMA Integrated News