Red tide alert raised in 13 areas in 4 provinces

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday, July 18, announced that there are 13 coastal areas in 4 provinces in the country that have tested positive for toxic red tide.

BFAR Director Asis G. Perez said in statement that based on the latest laboratory results of BFAR and local government units, shellfishes from the coastal waters of some areas in the provinces of Bataan, Masbate, Western Samar, and Palawan “are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.”

The following areas have tested positive for toxic red tide:

• Bataan: Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay, Samal
• Masbate: Mandaon
• Western Samar: Irong-Irong Bay, Maqueda Bay, and Villareal Bay
• Palawan: Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City

According to Perez, all types of shellfish and Acetes species or alamang in these 13 areas “are NOT SAFE for human consumption” and therefore should not be harvested, sold, bought, and/or eaten.

He said, however, that marine products other than shellfish can be safe for human consumption, provided that they are properly processed.

“Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” Perez said.

The BFAR also listed the red tide-free areas in the country. These are the following:

• Cavite
• Las Piñas
• Parañaque
• Navotas
• Bulacan 
• Pangasinan: Bolinao, Anda, Sual, Alaminos, and Wawa, Bani
• Zambales: Masinloc Bay
• Masbate: Milagros
• Sorsogon: Juag Lagoon in Matnog, and Sorsogon Bay
• Palawan: Puerto Bay in Puerto Princesa City, and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay
• Capiz: Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan, and Sapian
• Negros Occidental: EB Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City, Binalbagan, and San Enrique
• Western Samar: Cambatutay Bay and Calbayog City
• Eastern Samar: Matarinao Bay
• Leyte: Ormoc, San Perdo, Cancabato, and Carigara Bays
• Biliran: Biliran waters
• Zamboanga del Sur: Dumanquillas Bay 
• Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental: Murcielagos Bay
• Surigao del Sur: Hinatuan, Bislig, and Lianga Bays
• Davao Oriental: Balite Bay, Mati
• Camiguin Island: Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog

– Rappler.com