Red tide hits 8 coastal areas in PH

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has declared eight coastal areas in the country positive for red tide. Nazario Briguera, information chief of the BFAR, said at Wednesday’s Laging Handa briefing that the BFAR had issued a shellfish ban in these areas. Briguera said red algae were found in the coastal waters of Milagros, Masbate; Panay; President Roxas and Pilar in Capiz; Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Dumanquillas Bay In Zamboanga del Sur; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur. “All kinds of shellfish such as mussels and oysters, as well as tiny shrimps from the areas mentioned are not safe to eat, because they are poisonous,” he said. —Nestor Corrales