The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has confirmed toxic red tide in Ormoc Bay and Biliran Island this week after testing shellfish from these locations.
These regions have now joined four previously identified bays that are also contaminated with toxic red tide, as detailed in Shellfish Bulletin No. 30 released on November 27.
The other affected areas include the coastal waters of Leyte, Daram Island in Samar, Zumarraga Island in Samar, and Irong-irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar.
BFAR urgently advises the public against collecting, selling, or consuming any type of shellfish or small shrimp from these contaminated waters.
Fish, squid, and crabs are safe to eat, provided they are fresh, washed thoroughly, and have their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, removed before cooking.
BFAR Eastern Visayas noted that unusual weather patterns are significantly affecting weather conditions in Eastern Visayas, suggesting that the dry season followed by heavy rainfall may have stirred up bottom sediments rich in red tide microorganisms.
These microorganisms thrive on the organic matter released with the sediments, leading to harmful blooms.
In addition, four other bays have tested positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a type of dinoflagellate responsible for producing red tide toxins, as revealed by BFAR's filtered seawater sampling.
These affected areas are 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 Eastern Samar.
Due to the seawater conditions, BFAR has issued a local shellfish advisory to warn the public against harvesting, selling, and consuming shellfish and small shrimp from these regions to prevent the risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning.
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