KALIBO, Aklan – The coastal waters in Panay and Negros islands are free from red toxins, according to the latest shell bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
BFAR said the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental still remain red-tide free.
The agency’s advisory, in particular, showed no red tide alert in the coastal waters of Balasan; Tarong in Bancal Bay and Gigantes Island in Carles; Concepcion; Dumangas; Estancia; and Borongan, San Dionisio in Iloilo province.
The coastal waters of Pontevedra, Pilar, Roxas City, Sapian, Ivisan in Capiz and in Camanci and Mambuquiao in Batan, Altavas and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan are also safe from the red tide toxin.
In the red tide bulletin issued on September 16, 2024, BFAR detected red tide-causing organisms in nine coastal areas in Samar, Zamboanga del Sur, Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
The coastal areas were found to be positive for red tide or paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) beyond the regulatory limit. Shellfishes collected from these areas are not safe for human consumption.
Squids, shrimps, fish, and crabs are safe provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed from cooking.
Red tide is the discoloration of sea water usually caused by dinoflagellates, during periodic blooms, usually in warm seas. Toxic substances released by these organisms into the water may be lethal to fish and other marine life./PN
