Daram Shellfish Safe Again as BFAR Lifts Ban, But Nearby Areas Still Hit by Red Tide

Posted on July 2, 2026 at 6:16 pm

TACLOBAN CITY — Shellfish from Daram, Samar are safe to eat again after government tests showed the waters are now free from red tide toxin, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

In its advisory dated June 27, 2026, BFAR said recent laboratory results found no more traces of the toxin in shellfish samples collected from the area, leading to the lifting of the shellfish ban.

With the restriction removed, fishermen and vendors in Daram can now resume harvesting and selling shellfish.

Photo courtesy: BFAR Eastern Visayas

But BFAR reminded the public that not all waters in the region have recovered.

Several areas remain under a shellfish ban due to the continued presence of red tide toxin. These include Irong-Irong Bay in Samar, Biliran Island, and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, which covers the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo.

BFAR said shellfish and “alamang” (Acetes spp.) gathered from these areas are still unsafe for human consumption.

The bureau urged residents to avoid collecting or eating shellfish from affected waters until tests show they are safe again.

However, BFAR said other seafood such as fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs remain safe to eat, as long as they are fresh and properly cleaned before cooking, including removal of internal organs like gills and intestines.

BFAR also said it will continue monitoring coastal waters in the region to ensure public safety and to detect any possible return of red tide contamination.

Photo courtesy: BFAR Eastern Visayas