PILI, Camarines Sur--The ban on shellfish from two coastal areas of Bikol is still imposed, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office here said in a warning.
Shellfish ban is still imposed in Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon Bay, Sorsogon; the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate, all of Bikol region.
The warning about the ban was reiterated as latest BFAR laboratory results showed that level of red tide toxin in all types of shellfish and “alamang” gathered from the above banned areas are still above the allowable level and not safe for human consumption.
But 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 other areas where the ban is still imposed are in Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur and Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur.
On the other hand, the BFAR assured the public that the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao and Wawa Bays in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate; Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, continue to be free from toxic red tides.
Also declared safe among other areas of the country are the Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and El Nido, Palawan; Saplan Bay, Capiz; coastal waters of Pontevedra in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran Province; Hinatuaan and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Laguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; and coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga, Sibugay. (PNA)