THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has warned the public against harvesting, selling, and eating shellfish and alamang from large parts of the Visayas region, including Biliran Island, after shellfish meat samples tested positive for red tide toxin or saxitoxin.
The advisory was issued on Friday, May 22, after the BFAR-National Fisheries Laboratory Division confirmed the presence of saxitoxin in shellfish samples collected from the waters of Biliran.
According to the agency, all types of shellfish and Acetes species, locally known as alamang, gathered from the affected coastal areas are unsafe for human consumption.
Meanwhile, the shellfish ban remains in effect in the coastal waters of Daram in Samar and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, particularly in the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo.
Based on tests conducted by fisheries authorities, shellfish meat samples from these areas also tested positive for red tide toxins, making all shellfish and alamang harvested there unsafe to eat.
However, BFAR clarified that fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs from the affected waters remain safe for consumption as long as they are fresh and properly cleaned.
The public was also advised to remove internal organs such as intestines and gills and to thoroughly wash seafood before cooking.
Red tide is caused by harmful algal blooms that release toxins such as saxitoxin, which may cause paralytic shellfish poisoning when contaminated seafood is consumed.