KALIBO, Aklan – The coastal waters of Panay and Negros Islands are safe from toxic red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.
In its Jan. 30 advisory, shellfish collected from the coastal waters of Altavas, Batan and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan and Mambuquiao and Camanci, Batan, in Aklan were declared free of red tide.
Moreover, the coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles in Iloilo and Pilar, Panay, President Roxas, Sapian Bay and Roxas City in Capiz and E.B. Magalona, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran and Victorias City in Negros Occidental remain free of red tide toxin.
However, BFAR issued a warning that shellfish samples from the waters of Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan; Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur; Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; Pampanga and Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay, and Samal) and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar were tested positive for paralytic shellfish toxins.
A ban is issued when the toxic levels exceeded 40 micrograms of toxin per 100 grams of shellfish meat.
All types of shellfish and acetes sp. lamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption. But, 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.
Agriculture undersecretary and BFAR director Eduardo Gongona said the public is also advised to refrain from gathering and transporting, eating, harvesting shellfish until such time that the toxicity level has gone below the regulatory limit. (Akean Forum/PN)
