THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned against the consumption of seafood coming from Masbate and some areas in Visayas and Mindanao due to the presence of high levels of red tide toxin.
In an advisory, the BFAR said they have identified at least seven areas that have exceeded the regulatory limits of the presence of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide, particularly along the coasts covering Milagros, Masbate; Panay, President Roxas and Pilar in Capiz; Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; San Pedro Bay in Samar; Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City, Leyte; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.
“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas shown are NOT SAFE for human consumption,” according to the BFAR.
However, the agency said seafood that are safe to consume from the mentioned areas include fish, squid, prawns and crabs.
The BFAR advised that they should be cleaned well, remove the innards and cook them well.