More than ten areas in the Philippines were found positive for paralytic shellfish poison, more commonly known as the red tide toxin, according to a bulletin released by the Bureau of Aquatic Resources Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).
BFAR Shellfish Bulletin No. 14 said the affected areas are Puerto Princesa Bay in Palawan; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental; coastal waters of Calubian in Leyte; Daram Island and Zumarraga, Cambatutay, and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Carigara, and Ormoc Bay and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; the coastal waters of Biliran Islands; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; Balite Bay in Davao Oriental; and Bislig Bay, Lianga Bay, and the coastal waters off Surigao del Sur in Mindanao.
The BFAR warns that all types of shellfish and acetes or “alamang” gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption.
Fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs, however, are said to be safe for consumption provided gills and intestines are removed and products are fresh and washed thoroughly.
The agency is advising the public to refrain from eating, gathering, harvesting, transporting, and marketing shellfish from the affected areas until toxicity levels have gone down below the regulatory limit.
The BFAR is continuously monitoring these areas.