• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The coastal waters of Bacolod City and Negros Island remain free of the toxic red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said.
This as the BFAR in Caraga Region issued an advisory Aug. 28 that shellfish samples from the coasts of Litalit Bay in San Benito, Surigao del Norte, tested positive for paralytic shellfish toxins (PST).
Shellfish meat samples collected from the area were subjected to screening tests, such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and showed a positive result for PST, the BFAR said in a Philippine News Agency report.
But BFAR national director Elizer Salilig said that the coastal waters of Bacolod, E.B. Magalona, Talisay City, Silay City, Hinigaran, and Victorias City in Negros Occidental; and Tambobo, Siit Bays, Siaton and Bais Bay, Bais City in Negros Oriental, remain free of red tide.
Others include the coastal waters of Sapian Bay, Ivisan, Sapian, Pontevedra, Panay, Pilar, Roxas City and President Roxas, all in Capiz; Tarong in Bancal Bay, Carles, Gigantes Island, Concepcion, Dumangas, and Estancia in Iloilo; and Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate, among others.
Shellfishes collected and tested from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay Province, and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, meanwhile, are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), or toxic red tide, that is beyond the regulatory limit.
All types of shellfish and alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption, BFAR said. “Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption, provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and the internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking”. | CGC
