AN ORGANISM that causes red tide has been found along the coastal areas within San Pedro Bay in Basey and Marabut in Samar, said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Thursday, February 21.

Provincial Fishery Officer Jaime Salazar said Pyrodinium bahamense variety compressum, a toxic microorganism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, has been found in the two areas based on the laboratory examination of water samples conducted by the BFAR Regional Marine Biotoxin Laboratory in Tacloban City.

“To safeguard human lives while waiting for the result of confirmatory test of shellfish samples sent to BFAR Central Marine Biotoxin Laboratory in Manila, we are issuing this warning as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. locally known as 'alamang' or 'hipon' from the said areas to avoid possible shellfish poisoning,” Salazar said in a statement.

“Fish, squid, crab, and shrimp can be eaten but all entrails must be removed and washed thoroughly before cooking,” he added.

He said the BFAR is continuously monitoring the Basey and Marabut coastal areas to safeguard public health and protect the shellfish industry in the province. (SunStar Philippines)