Red tide alert raised in Eastern Samar bay
TACLOBAN CITY—A body of water spanning parts of Eastern Samar has tested positive for a toxic microorganism that causes red tide.
In a June 2 advisory, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) advised the public to refrain from harvesting, selling and consuming shellfish from the Matarinao Bay due to the presence of harmful algal blooms.
Dominador Maputol, BFAR regional director, said laboratory analysis of filtered seawater samples collected from the bay tested positive for the toxin responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Matarinao Bay covers the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani and Salcedo.
The BFAR clarified, however, that fish, squid, crab and shrimp from the area remain safe for consumption provided they are fresh, cleaned thoroughly with entrails removed and washed properly before cooking.
