THE BUREAU of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has banned the harvest and consumption of shellfish in six areas that tested positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison or toxic red tide.
The banned areas are: coastal waters of Bolinao in Pangasinan; Milagros in Masbate; Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Litalit Bay, San Benito in Surigao del Norte; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.
These areas “are still positive for… toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit,” BFAR said in its latest bulletin dated April 29.
All other areas have been declared free from the shellfish poison.
All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. (alamang) gathered from the said areas are not safe for human consumption.
However, fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that these are washed and gutted before cooking.
Consuming shellfish affected by red tide could lead to numbness, drowsiness, and respiratory paralysis. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson