Eighteen areas were found to be positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide in the latest laboratory results of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) released on May 8.
These areas include Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental; coastal waters of Calubian in Leyte; Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental; Lianga and Bislig Bays, and coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur.
Coastal waters of Daram Island, and Zumarraga, Cambatutay and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Carigara and Ormoc Bays, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; coastal waters of Biliran Islands; and Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte were also found positive for PSP.
BFAR said that all types of shellfish and acetes, also known as alamang, gathered from the areas are not safe for human consumption.
However, fish, squids, shrimps and crabs remain safe for human consumption provided that they were fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines were removed before cooking, said BFAR. – BFAR/CF-rir
