TACLOBAN City – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 8 warned against eating, harvesting and buying shellfishes in areas covered by five bays and affecting two cities and six municipalities in Eastern Visayas due to red tide.
They are Irong-irong Bay and Silanga Bay in Catbalogan City, San Pedro Bay affecting Basey and Marabut towns in Samar, Matarinao Bay covering the municipalities of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan and Salcedo in Eastern Samar, and Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City.
BFAR 8 Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said the water samples collected along the bays are positive for a toxic microorganism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) or “red tide” based on the laboratory examination conducted by the Provincial Marine Biotoxin Laboratory.
“We are issuing this warning as a precautionary advice to the public. Fish, squid, crab, and shrimp can be eaten but all entrails must be removed and washed thoroughly before cooking,” he said.
Meanwhile, Albaladejo shared other coastal areas in Region 8 remain free from red tide.
Aside from regular issuance of the red tide bulletin, the official said that BFAR and the local government units (LGUs) are continuously monitoring the said areas not only to safeguard public health but also to protect the fishery industry. (Marie Tonette Marticio)
