BORONGAN CITY –– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has reported the existence of red tide toxin in 12 areas of Eastern Visayas, posing a threat to shellfish harvesting and trading in the region.
BFAR Assistant Director for Operations Juan Albaladejo, in a statement, said the red tide started in the third quarter of 2020, where a mild El Niño caused a long dry season.
Albaladejo advised the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and consuming all-types of shellfish.
Shellfish harvesting, marketing, and transportation from the affected areas should be controlled and regulated by local governments.
Since last year, red tide pollutants have been impacting coastal areas and some bays in the region, according to a BFAR advisory.
Affected areas include Calubian in Leyte province; Guiuan, Eastern Samar; Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan, Samar; Zumarraga, Samar; Daram, Samar; Leyte coastal areas, Leyte; Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City; and Matarinao Bay stretching across the towns of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar; Biliran in Biliran province; Carigara Bay in Leyte; San Pedro Bay in Basey, Samar; and Ormoc Bay in the towns of Ormoc, Merida, and Albuera in Leyte.