Red tide alert stays in parts of Masbate, Visayas, Mindanao – BFAR

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources says that six coastal areas in the Visayas and Mindanao are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison or red tide toxin. (Photo courtesy of BFAR Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines —Six coastal areas in Masbate, the Visayas and Mindanao remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison or red tide toxin, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned.

The BFAR earlier issued a red tide bulletin in these areas last March 16.

Last March 26, it released another advisory saying that a red tide alert is still in effect in the said coastal areas.

Under Shellfish Bulletin. No. 08, the BFAR said the following areas are still affected by red tide:

• Coastal waters of Milagros, Masbate
• Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City, Bohol
• Coastal Waters of San Benito, Surigao del Norte
• Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
• San Pedro Bay in Samar
• Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar

“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas shown above are NOT SAFE for human consumption,” the bulletin dated April 30 and posted on May 1 stated.

Meanwhile, BFAR also said that “fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs” are safe for human consumption as long as they are fresh and washed thoroughly.

The internal organs, such as the gills and intestines, must also be removed before cooking.