
The latest shellfish samples collected from Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon and Milagros, Masbate are positive for paralytic shellfish toxin, said Nonie Enolva, BFAR Bicol spokesperson.
"Latest results (from the BFAR Central Office National Fisheries Laboratory) indicated paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), or the toxin that causes red tide, is beyond the regulatory limit," she said in an interview.
Shellfish samples are considered positive for red tide when it exceeds 60 micrograms of the PSP toxin saxitoxin.
Enolva said shellfish samples from Sorsogon reached between 92.64 and 551.54 micrograms of saxitoxin, while for Milagros, the result was 115.68 micrograms.
Enolva said the report also warned the public to refrain from gathering, transporting, selling, buying, and eating all types of shellfish and “alamang” (small shrimp) from the affected coastal waters to avoid shellfish poisoning.
Violators will be fined P1,000 up to P10,000 or imprisoned for two months up to one year, or both.
Nelson Bien, BFAR regional director, said in a statement the agency and the local government units are monitoring the affected coastal waters.
"Fish, squid, regular shrimp, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly. Internal organs such as gills and intestines must also be removed before cooking," he added.