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[av_heading heading=’Aklan free from red tide – BFAR ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY BOY RYAN ZABAL
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KALIBO, Aklan – Talaba and shellfish farmers, vendors and consumers in Aklan have nothing to worry about.
Coastal waters in the province are free from toxic red tide, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
In its Shellfish Bulletin dated Oct. 26, the BFAR said all types of shellfish gathered in the following areas are safe for human consumption:
* barangays Mambuquiao and Camanci in Batan
* Altavas
* New Washington
* Batan Bay
Also free from red tide are shellfish and alamang from the following:
* Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo
* Pilar, Panay and President Roxas towns and Roxas City in Capiz
* Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian), also in Capiz
But the BFAR raised a “red tide alert” in the coastal waters of Milagros, Masbate; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Naval in Biliran province; Irong Irong and Cambatutay Bays in Western Samar; and Carigara Bay in Leyte.
These areas tested positive for “paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit,” so “gathering, sale and consumption of all shellfish … are prohibited.”
Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs may be eaten provided they are fresh, washed thoroughly, and all internal organs are removed before cooking, the BFAR said.
It was only on Jan. 29 when the BFAR lifted the shellfish ban in the coastal waters of Batan, Altavas and New Washington.
A month before that, the provincial government declared the three towns under a state of calamity due to red tide. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
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