BFAR: Toxic red tide detected in parts of Bohol, 3 other areas

Toxic red tide was detected in parts of Bohol and three other areas, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) said Friday.

In its shellfish bulletin, the BFAR said shellfish harvested from the following areas were found positive for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit:

• coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol;
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur;
• coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte; and
• Honda Bay of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

The BFAR warned the public against harvesting, selling, buying, or eating shellfish collected from the above mentioned areas.

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

Meanwhile, "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," it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News