1 week ago
7
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Eastern Visayas (BFAR-8) announced that no areas in the region are currently under shellfish ban.
"Shellfish and seawater samples collected from the region remain free from red tide toxin," the BFAR-8 said in a statement on Saturday.
The BFAR-8 said the region is currently free from red tide issues, a welcome change from the frequent warnings in recent years.
Major shellfish harvesting grounds in Leyte province, including Leyte town, Calubian, Carigara, Cancabato and Ormoc, have been cleared of red tide toxins.
The agency cleared from the red tide toxin other major shellfish harvesting areas such as Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte, Biliran Island, Samar's Zumarraga Island, Daram Island, Maqueda Bay, Cambatutay Bay, Irong-Irong Bay, Villareal, San Pedro Bay and Eastern Samar's Matarinao and Guiuan.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
"Even if the shellfish ban is lifted in these areas, our active surveillance will continue," the BFAR said.
Red tide is caused by the rapid growth of certain microorganisms, typically dinoflagellates, often triggered by excess nutrients and changes in environmental conditions.
Red tide poisoning can cause severe health issues, including respiratory problems, paralysis and even death, particularly from consuming contaminated shellfish.
