• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The coastal waters of Bacolod and Negros Island remain free from the toxic red tide, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said June 28.
In its latest bulletin, the BFAR said that all types of shellfish, fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs gathered from the coastal waters of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay, E.B. Magalona, Victorias, and Hinigaran, all in Negros Occidental, as well as in Tambobo, Siit Bays in Siaton, and Bais Bay in Negros Oriental, along with neighboring areas and provinces are safe for human consumption.
Other areas that continue to be free from the paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), or red tide, include the coastal waters of Balasan, Tarong in Bancal Bay, Carles, Gigantes Island, Concepcion, Dumangas, Estancia, Borongon in San Dionisio, all in Iloilo; Tigbao and Navitas rivers, Mambuquiao, Camanci, Altavas, and New Washington in Batan Bay, all in Aklan;
Sapian Bay, and the coastal waters of Pontevedra, Panay, Pilar, Roxas City, and President Roxas, all in Capiz; Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; and Bogo Bay in Cebu, among others.
BFAR director Elizer Salilig, meanwhile, said that shellfishes collected and tested from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay province; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; and the coastal waters of Biliran Island are still positive for PSP, while Irong- Irong Bay in Samar was also included in the list.
“All types of shellfish and alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for consumption,” the BFAR said. “Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and the internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking.” | CGC
