Coastal waters in 10 places in the country remained positive for toxic red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Friday, July 2.
The affected areas include the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Irong-irong Bay in Western Samar; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; Murcielagos Bay (Sapang Dalaga and Baliangao) in Misamis Occidental; Balite Bay in Mati City, Davao Oriental; Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur; and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar--the latest addition to the list.
Based on the latest laboratory results, 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 areas are not safe for human consumption, the BFAR stressed.
Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs, on the other hand, 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.