Eastern visayas: Four bays in Eastern Visayas are still affected by toxic red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported Thursday. Based on shellfish and seawater sample examinations, four bodies of water were found to have red tide toxins beyond the regulatory limit.

According to Philippines News Agency, included in the latest national shellfish bulletin are Matarinao Bay in General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo towns in Eastern Samar; the coastal waters of Biliran Island; the coastal waters of Daram Island in Samar; and Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar province. The public is strictly advised not to collect, sell, or eat any type of shellfish, including small shrimp (alamang), from these areas, BFAR said.

Fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs are safe for human consumption if they are fresh, washed thoroughly, and internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking. "To safeguard human lives, we are issuing this warning as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as alamang or hipon, from these bays," BFAR said. The red tide condition can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning and death.

Nationwide, seven bays are included in the latest national shellfish bulletin. Other affected areas outside the region are Dumanquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, the coastal waters of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay, the coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan, and Panguil Bay in Misamis Occidental. BFAR said the presence of red tide cysts in the region's bays triggered the recurrence of the phenomenon. Frequent rains may cause runoff of soil sediments rich in organic matter that fertilize the red tide cysts.