The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Tuesday that Puerto Princesa Bay remains contaminated by red tide.
In Shellfish Bulletin No. 17 dated September 26, BFAR said all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or ‘alamang’ collected from Puerto Princesa Bay are still not safe for human consumption.
Puerto Princesa residents are still advised not to consume shellfish from Puerto Princesa Bay since the ban for collecting, selling, and consuming them is still up.
“Latest laboratory results of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Local Government Units (LGUs), shellfishes collected at Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Irong-irong, San Pedro, and Silanga in Western Samar; and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit,” the advisory said.
However, the advisory 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.
The red tide phenomenon is due to the accumulation of some microscopic algae, mostly dinoflagellates, in the coastal waters.
The toxin can affect fish, birds, marine mammals, and humans for days or months.
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