Two bays in Eastern Visayas continue to be under a shellfish ban following the confirmation of the presence of red tide in their waters.
These include the Matarinao Bay, covering the coastal towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar; and the coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said shellfish collected from these areas have tested positive for saxitoxin, a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.
BFAR urged the public to refrain from gathering, selling, or consuming shellfish, alamang, and hipon from the affected waters to avoid health risks.
Fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs are still safe to eat if fresh and properly cleaned. BFAR said red tide recurrence was triggered by cysts activated by frequent rains.
Officials clarified that fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs caught in the affected areas are still safe to eat, provided they are fresh. However, consumers are advised to remove internal organs, such as intestines and gills, and to wash the seafood thoroughly before cooking.
(With report from PNA)
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