THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has raised a red tide alert warning in three bays in Eastern Visayas, prohibiting the gathering, trading and consumption of shellfishes.
The BFAR added Carigara Bay to the list of areas that are positive of red tide. Earlier, regulators imposed a shellfish ban in Irong Irong Bay and Cambatutay Bay, both in Samar province.
“Seawater samples collected along these areas are positive of paralytic shellfish poisoning, causing organism that is beyond the regulatory limit,” said BFAR Regional Director Juan Albaladejo.
The fisheries bureau has stepped up water sampling activities in Eastern Visayas to ensure public safety of shellfish consumers and “protect the fishery industry.”
Coastal areas in Eastern Visayas that are free of toxic red tide organisms are Cacabato Bay, San Pedro Bay, Ormoc Bay, Sogod Bay, Villareal Bay, Matarinao Bay and Maqueda Bay.
These bays have been subject to regular monitoring after past occurrence of red tide phenomenon.
All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or "alamang" gathered from affected areas are not safe for human consumption.
Thus, the public was advised to refrain from eating, harvesting, marketing, and buying shellfishes and alamang until such time that the shellfish toxicity level has gone down below the regulatory level.
Fish, squid, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking, said the BFAR.
Red tide is a term used to describe all phenomena where the water is discolored by high algal biomass or the concentration of algae. The discoloration may not necessarily be red in color, but it may also appear yellow, brown, green, blue or milky, depending on the organisms involved. (PNA)