Red tide alert up in Masbate town

MANILA, Philippines - The public should refrain from harvesting and eating shellfish from the coastal waters of Milagros town in Masbate due to the presence of algae that produce the red tide toxin, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said yesterday.

BFAR also said shellfish from the waters of Irong-Irong Bay in Western Samar remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

The agency warned that all types of shellfish and alamang harvested from these waters are not safe for human consumption.

It said fish, shrimps and crabs are safe for consumption provided these are fresh, washed thoroughly, and the internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

Several areas surrounding the Manila Bay remain free from red tide, including the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Navotas as well as the Bataan Peninsula (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal).

Fishing areas of Alaminos, Wawa and Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc in Zambales; the coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Honda and Puerto Bays in Puerto Princesa City, and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan remain to be free from red tide.