No red tide in waters off Davao Oriental

MANILA, Philippines - The waters of Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental is free from red tide toxin, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.

But a shellfish bulletin reaching the DOH showed that Dumanguillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental and Milagros waters in Masbate “are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.”

The bulletin, which was issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said “all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas where the ban is in effect are not safe for human consumption.”

“Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” the BFAR said.