TACLOBAN CITY: A shellfish ban has been implemented in eleven areas across Eastern Visayas this week, as confirmed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The announcement came following the detection of red tide in seawater samples from various locations, including Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, the coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar, the coastal waters of Calbayog City in Samar, and Matarinao Bay in General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo towns in Eastern Samar.
According to Philippines News Agency, the BFAR had previously reported contamination with red tide toxins in seven additional bodies of water across Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Biliran provinces. These affected areas include Biliran Island in Biliran province, the coastal waters in Leyte town, Carigara Bay in Babatngon, San Miguel, Barugo, Carigara, and Capoocan towns in Leyte province, Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan town, Daram Island, Zumarraga Island, and Irongirong Bay in Catbalogan City in Samar province
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The BFAR has strictly advised the public against collecting, selling, or consuming any shellfish, including small shrimp, from these affected regions. However, fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs remain safe for consumption, provided they are fresh, thoroughly washed, and have their internal organs such as gills and intestines removed before cooking.
The BFAR Eastern Visayas highlighted that unusual weather patterns may have influenced the current red tide outbreak. The transition between dry seasons and sporadic heavy rainfall likely triggered the upwelling of shallow bay sediments, which are rich in red tide microorganism cysts. These microorganisms utilize the organic material from the sediments to initiate blooms, which were further intensified by the changing current patterns across the affected bodies of water.
Red tide is a phenomenon where certain algae types grow uncontrollably, often resulting in the water turning red due to the concentration of toxic microorganisms. This discoloration serves as a v
isible indicator of the high presence of these harmful entities.
