BFAR: Some coastal areas in Visayas, Mindanao hit by red tide

MANILA, Philippines — While coastal waters of Panay in Capiz are now free of the toxic red tide, some areas in Visayas and Mindanao remain positive for these toxins, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

The bureau then warned the public against consuming shellfish and acetes (alamang) collected in the following coastal waters:

• Capiz – Coastal waters of Roxas, President Roxas, Pilar, and Sapian Bay
• Iloilo – Coastal waters of Gigantes Islands in Carles
• Bohol – Coastal waters of Dauis, and Tagbilaran City
• Zamboanga del Sur – Dumanquillas Bay

“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas shown above are not safe for human consumption,” BFAR said in its advisory on Tuesday.

The bureau advised the public not to harvest, sell, buy, or eat shellfish and acetes from the said areas as they are positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) — a toxic red tide beyond their regulatory limit.

Based on the bureau’s website, shellfish and acetes contaminated by PSP can cause gastrointestinal and neurological illnesses in humans when consumed.

Meanwhile, BFAR clarified that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from the areas are safe to consume if they are fresh and washed thoroughly, with internal organs removed before cooking.

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