Coastal waters in 10 areas in the country remained positive for toxic red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Wednesday, May 12.

The affected areas include the coastal waters of Puerto Princesa Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; waters off Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Tambobo Bay in Siaton, Negros Oriental; coastal waters off Daram Island, and Zumarraga, Cambatutay, and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; coastal waters off Calubian, and Leyte, Carigara, and Ormoc Bays, and Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, Leyte; coastal waters off Biliran Islands; Balite Bay in Mati City, Davao Oriental; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; Lianga and Bislig Bays, and coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur; and Irong-irong, Maqueda and San Pedro Bays in Western Samar.
According to BFAR, shellfishes collected from these 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 affected coastal areas are not safe for human consumption, the agency added.
However, 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.