Shellfish ban still on in 6 areas

The inter-agency Red Tide Task Force raised yesterday the alarm over shellfish harvested from six coastal areas in the provinces, saying they are still infested with red tide toxin.

In its latest report, the task force noted that shellfish ban is still enforced in the coastal waters of Masinloc in Zambalez; Milagros in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon; Honday bay in Palawan; Balite bay in Mati, Davao Oriental and Dumanguilas bay in Zamboanga del Sur.

The task force said that the samples of shellfish and seawaters taken from these areas tested positive for red tide toxins when examined by marine experts.

It also warned that alamang from the red tide-affected areas are not also not safe to be eaten.

"Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh, internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed and washed thoroughly before cooking," it added.

The Tasl Force, which is composed of the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation and Communication and Philippine Information Agency, is regularly monitoring red tide in coastal areas across the country.

Red tide toxins are naturally deposited in the sea bed but tend to be washed away during rain season. The toxins then get into mussels, oysters and other types of shellfish.

In its monitoring, the task force found out that Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan waters in Manila bay continue to be free from red tide.