• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The coastal waters of Bacolod City and Negros remained free from the toxic red tide, as per the Jan. 6 bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The waters of Bacolod, E.B. Magalona, Talisay City, Silay City, Hinigaran, and Victorias City in Negros Occidental; the Tambobo, Siit Bays, and Siaton in Negros Oriental; and surrounding waters continue to be free from red tide, BFAR officer-in-charge, Isidro Velayo Jr., said.
But shellfishes collected and tested from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; the coastal waters of Daram Island and Irong-Irong Bay in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; coastal waters of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay Province; and coastal waters of Biliran Islands in Biliran province 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, Velayo 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
