TACLOBAN CITY – At least eight bays on Samar Island are positive for toxic red tide based on the latest seawater sampling, with some parts of the sea showing red discoloration, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has reported.
In its advisory issued Tuesday, BFAR said red tides have been detected in the seawaters of Daram Island; Zumarraga Island; Maqueda Bay in the towns of Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, San Sebastian, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, and Hinabangan; Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan; and Irongirong Bay in Catbalogan City.
These five bodies of water are all located in Samar province.
Other red tide-affected bays are the coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar; Matarinao Bay in the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo, also in Eastern Samar; and the coastal waters of Calbayog City in Samar.
Red tide presence has significantly expanded this week from just three affected bays in the previous week, according to the BFAR regional office here.
“Currently, a red discoloration has been observed in the Samar Sea. According to the analysis of seawater taken from this area, there is the presence of Pyrodinium Bahamense, a toxic microorganism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP),” BFAR added.
The visible red discoloration indicates a high presence of toxic microorganisms, according to BFAR.
Everyone is strictly advised not to collect, sell, or eat any type of shellfish, including small shrimp from the Samar Sea, the advisory said.
The fisheries bureau regularly issues an advisory following reports that some individuals fell ill after consuming sardines from the Samar Sea.
“Based on our investigation of individuals allegedly poisoned after eating sardines, it was found that they consumed the fish that was not properly washed with running water and not cleaned of its entrails, such as intestines and gills,” BFAR stated.
Reports of poisoning came out a few days after several cats in Sta. Rita and Samar died after eating the entrails of sardines.
BFAR advised the public to remove the entrails, such as intestines, roe, and gills, of all types of fish caught in the Samar Sea. The same applies to squids, shrimp, crabs, and other marine products.
“The disposal of entrails from fish caught in the Samar Sea is also prohibited. If possible, properly dispose of the washing water used for cleaning these fish,” the advisory added.
Everyone is encouraged to report any sightings or observations of red discoloration in the sea directly to the nearest BFAR office and to the local government units.
A red tide occurs when certain types of algae grow out of control. The name “red tide” comes from the fact that overgrowth of algae can cause the color of the water to turn red.
These areas are not yet included in the latest shellfish bulletin since water and meat samples need confirmatory testing in a laboratory at the BFAR main office in Manila. (SQM/PNA)
