Manila: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) lifted the shellfish ban in Daram, Samar province on Tuesday after nearly two months of infestation.

According to Philippines News Agency, the fisheries bureau said that negative results for the toxin causing paralytic shellfish poisoning were obtained from three consecutive weeks of sampling in the seawater around Daram town. 'The public is hereby informed that shellfish samples harvested from these three bays (in the area) are now safe for human consumption. Likewise, gathering or harvesting and marketing of shellfish from the above-mentioned area are now permitted,' the BFAR regional office said in a statement.

Shellfish collected from seawater in Daram town tested positive for red tide in early May this year. Although the shellfish ban has been lifted in the area, the BFAR regularly monitors all coastal waters to check for possible recurrence.

Meanwhile, the local red shellfish ban remains in effect in Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar; the coastal waters of Biliran Island in Biliran province; and Matarinao Bay in the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar. The areas remained on the shellfish ban list because samples of both seawater and shellfish meat were still positive for red tide toxins.

Under Shellfish Bulletin No. 16, five areas in the country are still positive for toxic red tide, prompting the BFAR shellfish ban in these localities. Other affected areas outside the region are Dumanquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

The public is strictly advised not to collect, sell, or eat any type of shellfish, including small shrimp, in these areas, according to BFAR. Fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs are safe for human consumption if they are fresh, thoroughly washed, and their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking.