(File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned that shellfish in some coastal areas in the Visayas and Mindanao are still positive for red tide toxin which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.
In its announcement on December 18, the BFAR warned against shellfish caught from the following waters:
- Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; Mambuqiao and Camanci; Batan in Aklan)
- Coastal waters of Potevedra, and Roxas City in Capiz
- Coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles in Iloilo
- Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol
- Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
- Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur
- Coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte.
“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas shown above are not safe for human consumption,” the BFAR said.
It added that fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs are safe to eat as long as they are prepared and cleaned properly and throughly.
“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,” it added.