Red tide bloom expands in Leyte bays

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 26 (PNA) –- Red tide phenomenon has expanded from Samar seas to Leyte bays this week while contamination continues in seven other bays in Eastern Visayas region.

The red tide — an algal bloom that makes seafood toxic — is a common, naturally recurring phenomenon in coastal waters of Leyte and Samar provinces.

According to local red tide advisory issued to the media on Friday, toxins found in the seawaters of Leyte, Leyte and Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City are beyond the regulatory limit.

"All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption," said BFAR regional director Juan Albaladejo.

The public is advised to refrain from eating, harvesting, marketing, and buying shellfishes and Acetes sp. from affected areas until such time that the shellfish toxicity level has gone down below the regulatory level.

For few weeks, red tide alert has been raised in Cambatutay Bay, Irong-Irong Bay, Maqueda Bay, Daram waters, and Villareal Bay in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; and Carigara Bay in Leyte province.

"Fish, squid, shrimp and crab are safe to eat “provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking," Albaladejo added.

The fisheries bureau asked local government units to assist in the information drive and enforcement of shellfish ban, which strictly prohibits consumption, trading, and transport of shellfish gathered from infested bays.

The recent spate of red tide phenomenon in the region has killed two children and hospitalized several others early last month.(PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO