TACLOBAN CITY– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has announced that all previous local red tide advisories issued for Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar, and Irong-irong Bay in Catbalogan City are now lifted based on the latest red tide advisory released on Wednesday(Feb.14).
All types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as “alamang” or “hipon” from these areas are now safe for human consumption, the BFAR said on its advisory.
However, shellfish collected and tested from San Pedro Bay in Basey, Samar, and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, particularly in General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo, remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide beyond the regulatory limit, BFAR said on its advisory.
All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption, it said.
In addition, seawater samples collected from the coastal waters of Biliran Island remain positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a toxic microorganism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Hence, a local red tide warning is still in place to safeguard human lives in the said bay.
The public is also advised to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and alamang or hipon from this area.
Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from the above-mentioned bays and coastal waters are safe for human consumption, provided that they are fresh, thoroughly washed, and have had their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, removed before cooking.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
