A red tide ban remains hoisted over four coastal areas in the country, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Wednesday.
In a press statement, BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento, Jr. said a shellfish ban remains imposed in Dumaguillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; and coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate
“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the above banned areas are not safe for human consumption,” Sarmiento said.
The official, however, said fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs from these areas 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.
Meanwhile, BFAR said that the following coastal areas remain free from toxic red tide:
• Coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, and Bataan in Manila bay; Coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinan, and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan;
• Masinloc Bay in Zambales;
• coastal waters of Mandaon on Masbate;
• Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and El Nido Palawan;
• Tinagong Dagat in President Roxas and Sapian Bay, Capiz;
• Coastal waters of Hinigaran, Talisay City, Bacolod City, Victorias City, E. B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Villadolid, San Enrique, and Polopandan in Negros Occidental;
• Irong-Irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar;
• Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte;
• Biliran Waters in Biliran Province; Hinatuan, Lianga and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur;
• Taguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island;
• Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; and
• Coastal waters of kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay.