Red tide alert raised in Zambo provinces

MANILA, Philippines - The red tide alert in Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga Occidental is still up, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said yesterday.

All types of shellfish and acetes sp or alamang gathered from these waterways are not safe for human consumption.

“Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” BFAR’s latest shellfish bulletin stated.

The waterways have been contaminated with red tide planktons, which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, for over a year now.

The following areas, however,  continue to be free from red tide toxins: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan; Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Wawa and Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Honda and Puerto Bays in Puerto Prinsesa City and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; coastal waters of E.B Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Caid City, Victorias City, Bago City, Binalbagan and San Enrique in Negros Occidental; Irong-Irong, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran province; Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay, Mati, Davao Oriental; and Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog, Camiguin Island.