Redtide alert still up in 5 coastal areas—BFAR

MANILA, Philippines – The red tide alert remains raised over five coastal areas in the Philippines after laboratory tests proved that the waters are still positive for shellfish poison, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Wednesday.

Quoting the shellfish bulletin issues by BFAR on Wednesday cited Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental, Masinloc Bay in Zambales and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar are still positive for paralytic shellfish poising that was beyond the regulatory limit.

BFAR advised the public that shellfish like mussels, clam, scallops and oysters from these coastal areas were not safe for human consumption. Likewise, BFAR had also prohibited the selling of shellfish from these waters until the red tide alert has been lifted.

Meanwhile, fish, squid, crabs and shrimp caught from these areas are safe to eat, BFAR said.