MANILA, Philippines — A shellfish ban has been imposed in nine areas in the country as red tide toxins continued to plague several provinces, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported.
The red tide-infested bays included the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate province; coastal waters of Dauis town and Tagbilaran City in Bohol province; San Pedro Bay in Western Samar province; coastal waters of Biliran Islands; Carigara Bay in Leyte province; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar province; Dumanquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur province; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte province; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur province.
Algal bloom
The term “red tide” is used to describe the algal bloom phenomenon wherein the water is discolored by high concentrations of toxic and nontoxic algae in the water, although the discoloration may also appear yellow, brown, green, or blue depending on the organisms involved, the BFAR said.
Although it may be harmless, the high algal biomass can possibly cause human illnesses that could be debilitating or fatal.
As such, all kinds of shellfish and krill-like prawns from the mentioned areas must not be harvested, sold, or eaten, the advisory added.