THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has raised a red tide alert warning over several coastal waters in Davao Oriental and six provinces in the Visayas, and has prohibited the gathering, trading and consumption of shellfish from these fishing grounds.
In its Shellfish Bulletin No. 34 issued last Dec. 5, the BFAR said that based on the latest laboratory results, shellfishes collected at Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; coastal waters of Dauis in Bohol; coastal waters of Daram Island in Daram, Villareal, Maqueda, Irong-Irong and Cambatutay Bays in Western Samar; and Carigara Bay in Leyte are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
Also positive for red tide are the coastal waters of Pilar and Sapian Bays in Capiz; coastal waters of Altavas, Batan and Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan; coastal waters in Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo; and the coastal waters Naval, Biliran Island.
In addition, the coastal waters of President Roxas in Capiz and the coastal waters of Leyte in Leyte are now positive for red tide toxin.
BFAR said that all types of shellfish and alamang gathered from the affected areas are not safe for human consumption.
Residents there are advised not to sell, buy or consume shellfish from these areas.
However fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs caught there are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
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