TACLOBAN CITY– Some major seawaters in Samar and Eastern Samar provinces were declared to have the presence of ‘red tide,’ which makes collecting and eating all types of shellfish and ‘alamang’ not advisable.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources(BFAR) in the region said that the Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar and the bays of Cambatutay in Tarangnan, Matarinao which covers the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani and Salcedo, and the coastal waters of Guiuan, all in Eastern Samar were found to be positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a toxic microorganism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning(PSP).
BFAR said that fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs from the affected bays 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.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
