Shellfish Ban Imposed in Daram, Samar

Posted on May 16, 2026 at 5:55 pm

TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has confirmed the presence of toxic red tide in the coastal waters of Daram after conducting laboratory tests at its national fisheries laboratory.

As a precautionary measure, BFAR has implemented a shellfish ban in Daram, advising against the gathering, selling, or consumption of all shellfish types, including small shrimps (alamang or hipon), due to the potential risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning, which can be fatal.

The affected waters are part of several areas nationwide listed in the latest shellfish bulletin following the confirmation of red tide contamination in shellfish meat samples.

Previously, BFAR had imposed a similar ban in Matarinao Bay, covering the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo, after detecting red tide in seawater and shellfish samples.

Despite the ban, BFAR assured the public that fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs from affected areas are safe to consume if they are fresh, properly washed, and have their internal organs removed before cooking.

“To ensure public safety, we urge everyone to refrain from gathering, selling, and consuming all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as alamang or hipon, from these bays,” BFAR stated.

Other areas listed in the national shellfish bulletin include Dumanquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan, and Tantangan Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay.

BFAR explained that red tide occurrences are influenced by environmental factors, such as heavy rainfall leading to nutrient-rich runoff that supports the growth of toxic organisms.

Authorities are actively monitoring the affected waters to mitigate potential health risks to the public.

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