Coastal waters in seven parts of the country remained positive for toxic red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Friday, June 11.
The affected areas include the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Tambobo Bay in Siaton, Negros Oriental; coastal waters of Daram Island, and Zumarraga, Cambututay, Irong-irong, San Pedro, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; coastal waters of Calubian, Carigara and Ormoc Bays, and Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, Leyte; Balite Bay and Mati Bay in Davao Oriental; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; and Lianga and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur.
According to tests conducted by the BFAR and the concerned local government units (LGUs), shellfish collected from the affected coastal waters are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit.
All types of shellfish and alamang gathered from the coastal waters are "not safe for human consumption," the agency said.
Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs from these areas, however, are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, with the internal organs such as gills and intestines removed before cooking.