Red tide warning up in three more Western Samar bays
THE BUREAU of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned consumers from eating shellfish harvested in three bays in Western Samar after these areas tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison or red tide. BFAR said in its 15th shellfish bulletin that warnings are up in Irong-irong Bay, Maqueda Bay, and San Pedro Bay. Meanwhile, red tide contamination continues in Western Samar’s Daram Island, Zumarraga, Cambatutay Bay, and Villareal Bay; Puerto Princesa Bay, Palawan; Dauis and Tagbilaran CIty, Bohol; Tambobo Bay, Negros Oriental; the town of Leyte, Calubian, Carigara Bay, Ormoc Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Leyte. Red tide warnings are also still in effect at Biliran Islands; Balite Bay, Davao Oriental; Murcielagos Bay, Zamboanga del Norte; and Lianga Bay, Bislig Bay, and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang harvested in red tide areas are unsafe for human consumption. However, other marine species from the contaminated waters can still be eaten with proper handling. Red tide happens due to a result of high concentrations of algae in the water. Human consumption of contaminated shellfish may result in paralytic shellfish poisoning, which affects the nervous system. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
