TACLOBAN CITY, (PNA) — Four coastal areas in Eastern Samar and Western Samar provinces are still positive for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) or “red tide”, according to the latest local shellfish bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Marine Biotoxin Laboratory.
The bulletin dated August 22 disclosed that shellfish collected from Matarinao Bay, Cambatutay Bay, Irong-irong Bay and the coastal waters in Calbayog tested positive for PSP beyond the regulatory limit.
Matarinao Bay covers the municipalities of Salcedo, Quinapondan, Gen. MacArthur and Hernani, Eastern Samar, while Cambatutay Bay covers the town of Tarangnan. Irong-irong Bay and the coastal waters of Calbayog are all in Western Samar.
The BFAR warned that all types of shellfish and alamang collected from the affected areas are not safe for human consumption, until such time that the shellfish toxity level has gone down below the regulatory level.
However, it said that fish, squid, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption as long as they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal parts are removed before cooking.
The following coastal areas remain free from red tide: Carigara Bay which covers Carigara, San Miguel, Barugo, Capoocan and Babatngon, Leyte; Ormoc Bay which includes Ormoc City, Albuera and Merida, Leyte; Biliran Strait in Calubian Leyte; San Pedro Bay in Palo and Tanuan, Leyte; Villareal Bay in Villareal Samar; Maqueda Bay in Jiabong and Catbalogan Samar; Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City and Sogod Bay in Sogod, Southern Leyte.