Eastern Samar waters now red tide-free
Matarinao Bay, which covers the coastal waters of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan and Salcedo, was declared positive of red tide in September
Daily TribuneMatarinao Bay, which covers the coastal waters of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan and Salcedo, was declared positive of red tide in September
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional office in Eastern Samar revealed on Sunday that the region is virtually free of red tide after two previously contaminated areas are now free of toxins and the shellfish that were gathered from them are now safe for human consumption.
The BFAR-8 said that the coastal waters of Guiuan and Matarinao Bay are already free of the toxic algae bloom and all types of shellfish and alamang gathered from those areas are already safe to eat.
Matarinao Bay, which covers the coastal waters of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan and Salcedo, was declared positive of red tide in September after shellfish meat gathered from the water was found to have toxicity level twice higher than the minimum acceptable threshold.
The coastal waters of Guiuan, on the other hand, was declared positive of the algae that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning in August based on the results of laboratory tests done at the BFAR regional office.
The agency said that it continues to monitor water and shellfish samples gathered from Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, San Pedro Bay in Basey, Samar and Irong-Irong bay in Catbalogan City which are remaining waters in the region that are still infected with the red tide toxins.
The BFAR-8 has advised the public to refrain from gathering, selling and eating all types of shellfish and alamang gathered from these areas.
"Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking," the advisory said.