No red tide in Central Luzon - BFAR

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

Wednesday 13th of February 2013

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan provinces remain free from paralytic shellfish poison or red tide.

“The coastal waters of Bulacan in Manila Bay; Masinloc Bay in Zambales and coastal waters of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal in Bataan are now free of the toxic red tide,” the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Shellfish Bulletin dated February 6 reported.

BFAR said shellfish from the mentioned areas are safe for human consumption.

Shellfishes collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

All types of shellfish and Acetes ap or alamang from the areas mentioned are not safe for human consumption.

BFAR said 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. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)