BFAR ups red tide alert in Luzon, Mindanao

Raising the warning on red tide in those areas, authorities warned residents Wednesday against gathering shellfish in at least four areas in Pangasinan, Bicol and Mindanao. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Malcolm Sarmiento made the announcement even as the BFAR lifted the ban on three other areas. Radio dzEC reported Wednesday that the shellfish ban was lifted in Irong-Irong Bay in Samar; Siaton Bay in Negros Oriental; and Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental. Placed under a shellfish ban were Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; Dumanquilias Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur; and Sorsogon Bay in Albay. Sarmiento asked residents in the areas concerned to report the gathering and selling of shellfish taken from those areas to the BFAR hotline at 9299597. - GMANews.TV