BFAR clears Capiz, Neg Occ. waters from toxic ‘Red Tide’

By Florence F. Hibionada

Shellfish ban remains in six coastal areas

Shellfish ban may still be in effect in six major bays and coastal areas of the country yet Western Visayas region have nothing to fear.

This, as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in a latest online advisory cleared coastal waters here as free from the toxic “Red Tide.”

A welcome development and good news for the region particularly for the Province of Capiz with Roxas town here dubbed as the seafood capital. Negros Occidental coastline is also one of the richest sources of fish and shellfish resources throughout Western Visayas and nearby regions. “Red Tide” is a coastal phenomenon marked by discoloration of water due to concentration of algae. The BFAR said safe still and Red Tide-free are surrounding areas and coastal waters off Tinagong Dagat in President Roxas and Sapian Bay in Capiz and coastal waters of Pontevedra, in Negros Occidental.

As such, locals may harvest, eat, buy and sell mussels, clams, scallops, oysters, fish, squid, crab and shrimp here. What is not safe are shellfish coming from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga Del Sur, Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon. Also not safe are shellfish coming from the coastal waters off Milagros in Masbate, Bislig Bay in Bislig City and Surigao Del Sur. In said prohibited areas, latest laboratory results confirmed the presence of toxic “Red Tide.” “All types of shellfish and Acetes specie or Alamang gathered from the above banned areas are NOT SAFE for human consumption. 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 BFAR in said advisory stated.

The rest of the safe coastal waters are that of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay. Coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan, Mansiloc Bay in Zambales and coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate. Also in the “safe-list” are Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and El Nido, Palawan, Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte.

Safe too are the Biliran Waters in Biliran Province, Hinatuan, Lianga and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur, Taguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island, Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental and coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay.