ILOILO CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-6 warned the people that red tide is still present in eight coastal areas of Panay Island.
“All types of shellfish and ‘alamang’ (shrimp fry) are not safe from human consumption,” the BFAR said in Shellfish Bulletin No. 27.
RESIDENTS harvest scallops, a major source of livelihood, in Gigantes Island, Carles, Iloilo. (Tara Yap)
Capiz has the most number of coastal areas that tested positive for red tide with six – Roxas City, Panay, Pilar, Ivisan, President Roxas, and Sapian.
In Iloilo, the waters of Gigantes Island in Carles town also tested positive for red tide.
“The public is strongly advised to stop from eating, gathering, or harvesting, transporting, and marketing all types of shellfish and shrimp specie locally known as alamang or hipon,” BFAR said.
“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,” BFAR added.