Iloilo City (CNN Philippines) — Following the rampant red tide cases in northern Iloilo, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) imposed a shellfish ban in the coastal waters of Gigantes Islands in the town of Carles.
The ban, issued on January 7, also covered the coastal waters of Pilar and Sapian Bay in Capiz; Altavas, Batan, and New Washington in Aklan.
Based on the latest laboratory results from BFAR, shellfish collected in Gigantes Islands tested positive for paralytic shellfish poisoning.
“All types of shellfish and ‘alamang’ gathered from the said areas are not safe for human consumption,” according to BFAR.
However, the bureau said that fish, squid, shrimps, and crabs were safe for human consumption provided they were fresh and washed thoroughly, while internal organs such as gills and intestines should be removed before cooking.
Meanwhile, the coastal waters of Panay, President Roxas, and Roxas City in Capiz; E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City, Binalbagan, and San Enrique in Negros Occident were declared safe from red tide.
