KALIBO, Aklan – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Western Visayas (BFAR) said shellfish from Panay Island are safe for consumption.
According to its latest bulletin, BFAR said all types of shellfish gathered from coastal waters of Camanci and Mambuquiao, Batan; Altavas, Batan and New Washington in Batan Bay in Aklan; Gigantes Island, Carles in Iloilo; Pilar, Panay, President Roxas and Roxas City in Capiz are free of toxic red tides.
This even as red tide alert was declared in some of the coastal areas in Tacloban City in Leyte.
All types of shellfish, Acetes, or alamang collected in these areas are not safe for human consumption. These shellfish eaten by humans can lead to serious and potentially fatal illnesses.
However, crabs, fish, shrimp, and squids are safe for consumption but they need to be fresh, washed thoroughly and remove gills and intestines of fish, squids and crabs; and remove heads of shrimps.
Red tide is used to describe harmful algal bloom that make potent natural toxins and may cause illness in humans and animals. Some symptoms include drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea, loss of motor control, tingling, numbing or aching of extremities, incoherence, and respiratory paralysis. (With a report from Akean Forum/PN)