Shellfish in three areas in the Visayas and Mindanao have tested positive for red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Monday, August 22.
In the bureau’s Shellfish Bulletin No. 15, the BFAR said shellfishes collected at coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur are positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison or toxic red tide.
The red tide in the affected areas exceeds the regulatory limit, the test conducted by the BFAR revealed.
The BFAR warned the public against consuming shellfish and Acetes sp. or “alamang” harvested from the said areas, noting that they are “not safe for human consumption.”
Meanwhile, it clarified that fishes, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption.
According to the bureau, they must be fresh and thoroughly washed, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
The phenomenon known as a red tide is brought on by algae, a plant-like organism, growing out of control along the coast.