Shellfish ban up in 4 areas

MANILA, Philippines — Harvest, sale and consumption of shellfish in four areas in the country are prohibited after their waters tested positive for a paralytic shellfish toxin that causes red tide.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the shellfish ban covers the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran in Bohol as well as San Pedro Bay in Samar, Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.

Shellfish collected in these areas contain red tide toxins beyond the regulatory limit, the BFAR said.

All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang collected from these affected areas are not safe for human consumption, it added.

Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs collected from the four areas are safe for human consumption provided these are fresh, washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines removed before cooking.

The BFAR said that eating red tide-affected shellfish could cause numbness, drowsiness and respiratory paralysis.