BFAR issues red tide warning on shellfish from 2 Bohol areas

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – In this season of Lent when most Catholics do not eat meat, they should also stay away from shellfish harvested in two areas in Bohol province after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) raised a red tide alert in the capital city of Tagbilaran and in Dauis town.

Residents are warned against the gathering and eating shellfish from a section of Maribojoc Bay, particularly the waters between Tagbilaran City and the town of Dauis.

In Shellfish Bulletin 11 dated March 22, BFAR said all types of shellfish gathered from the said areas were not safe for human consumption.

It also said fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and the internal organs are removed before cooking.

Other than the coastal areas of Dauis and Tagbilaran, the bulletin said other areas remained free from red tide.

Red tide, properly known as a “harmful algal bloom,” is a phenomenon where algae multiplies rapidly and produces toxins that are harmful to wildlife and to humans.

No date was released by the BFAR on when the red tide advisory will be lifted.

In June 2015, at least five persons fell ill of red tide poisoning.

Aside from the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City, the other coastal waters affected by red tide are the coastal waters of Leyte and Carigara Bay in Leyte, Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur, coastal waters of Biliran province, and Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa in Palawan.