(Photo courtesy of PTV) LEGAZPI CITY - Coastal areas in Masbate province remain positive for red tide toxin, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Bicol (BFAR-5) said Monday. Citing the latest laboratory results of the collected shellfish samples, Nonie Enolva, BFAR-5 spokesperson, said the presence of toxic red tide in shellfish meat is still beyond the regulatory limit. "Based on the laboratory examination conducted by the BFAR-National Fisheries Laboratory last Feb. 10, 2023, shellfish meat samples collected from the coastal water of Milagros town in Masbate among others are still positive with paralytic shellfish poison (PSP)," she said in an interview. Enolva said that from Oct. 7, 2022 to date, Milagros waters are being monitored to guard public health and protect the shellfish industry. BFAR also warned the public to refrain from gathering, transporting, selling, buying, and eating all types of shellfish and alamang (small shrimp) from the affected coastal wate
(Google map of Albay province) LEGAZPI CITY - Residents of coastal communities were urged to monitor and report stranding incidents that involve marine mammals to the proper authorities after an adult male spinner dolphin died after being rescued in Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City early this week. In an interview on Thursday, Daryl John Buenconsejo, Albay Provincial Fisheries Project and Program Coordinator, said locals may report discovery of distressed mammals to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Bicol (BFAR-5), the Albay Provincial Agricultural Office (APAO)-Fisheries Division, the Albay Veterinary Office (AVO), or the nearest municipal agriculture office for proper handling and rescue operations. "In case man po meron ulit mangyaring ganitong cases [stranding of marine mammal]. Ipagbigay alam po sa office ng BFAR or pwede din po sa PGA-APAO or PGA-AVO or sa pinakamalapit na municipal agriculture office na nasasakupang munisipyo (In case a similar case happens again [s