Red tide still in Balite Bay

While there is already a lifting order for red tide warning in the coastal waters of Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental, Balite Bay in Mati City, Davao Oriental remains positive for red tide toxin.

“Negative na po ang ating red tide bulletin sa Santa Maria. Wala na pong ikakabahala ang ating mga shellfish or tahong raisers and culturists doon,” Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 11 Regional Director Fatma Idris said yesterday, May 20, 2019.

“Right now, we still maintain regular monitoring in the coastal waters of Sta. Maria so we are assured that per shellfish bulletin, safe to eat na ang mga shellfish from that area,” she added.

However, Idris said shellfish harvested in Balite Bay are unfortunately still not safe for human consumption as per the result of their regular monitoring and laboratory testing.

BFAR 11 continued to warn the public to avoid consuming shellfish from the affected area despite no reports of individuals affected by the toxins.

Last month, BFAR 11 issued a red tide advisory in the two areas as their laboratory results have shown that shellfish and Acetes or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption as there was high levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in samples drawn in the areas.

As part of their interventions, aside from regular monitoring, BFAR is now assuring the accreditation of shellfish raisers to avoid another carrier of red tide toxins.

Negative na po ang ating red tide bulletin sa Santa Maria. Wala na pong ikakabahala ang ating mga shellfish or tahong raisers and culturists doon.

FATMA IDRIS BFAR 11 Regional Director