DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Amid the bad news brought by fish kill involving bangus (milkfish) in two Pangasinan towns, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has declared that the coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos City and Bani town are red tide-free.
BFAR shellfish bulletin No. 12 issued by BFAR officer-in-charge Benjamin Tabios Jr. said that coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos and Bani in Pangasinan “continue to be free from toxic red tides.”
The advisory was based on the laboratory results of BFAR and local government units which also showed that shellfishes collected at Dumanquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; and Masinloc Bay in Zambales are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison and not safe for human consumption.
Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe to eat provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking, the bulletin added.
Other areas that are red tide-free are the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque; Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Honda and Puerto Bays in Puerto Princesa, and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Irisan and Sapian in Capiz; E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City and San Enrique in Negros Occidental; Irong-Irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran province; Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay; and Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog, Camiguin Island.