4 provinces still on red tide alert

MANILA, Philippines - Shellfish from the waters of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental and Masbate remain positive for red tide toxins, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said yesterday.

In its Shellfish Bulletin No. 23, BFAR said shellfish harvested from the Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental, and the coastal waters of Milagros town in Masbate are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison “beyond the regulatory limit.”

BFAR said all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. (alamang) gathered from these areas are not safe from consumption.

However, other seafood such as fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for consumption provided they are fresh and are washed thoroughly, and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.