MANILA, Philippines — A shellfish ban is being implemented in eight areas in the country amid the presence of toxic red tide or paralytic shellfish poison, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said yesterday.
According to the BFAR, the shellfish ban covers Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Daram Island, Zumarraga Island, Irong-Irong Bay, Carigara Bay in Leyte, Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay, Biliran Island in Biliran and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.
“Shellfish collected and tested from (these areas)… are still (positive) for paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit,” the BFAR said.
“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from these areas are NOT SAFE for human consumption. Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking,” it added.