BFAR issues red tide alert

By Richa Noriega

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) issued a red tide alert on Tuesday in some coastal areas where shellfish are positive for paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit.

In a statement, BFAR said all types of shellfish and acetes or alamang (tiny shrimps) gathered from the following areas are not safe for human consumption:

• Bohol (Dauis and Tagbilaran City)
• Davao Oriental (Balite Bay and Mati City)
• Surigao del Sur (Lianga Bay)
• Palawan (Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa City)

“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 added.