Red tide alert up in Bohol

TOXIC CONTENT The coastal waters of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, look serene at low tide but its water has toxic content. Consumers are warned against the consumption of shellfish collected from this area due to the presence of red tide toxins. —LEO UDTOHAN

TAGBILARAN CITY—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has warned the public that the coastal waters in Dauis town and Tagbilaran City in Bohol province tested positive for red tide and deemed its shellfish unsafe for human consumption.

In its bulletin, the BFAR office said its latest test results showed that shellfish in the coastal areas of Dauis and Tagbilaran contained paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limits and advised the public against gathering and consuming mussels, clams, scallops and oysters from these areas.

But fish, squid, shrimp and crab taken from these areas are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh, washed thoroughly and their internal organs discarded before cooking, the BFAR said.

The BFAR said other areas that also tested positive for the red tide toxin were Biliran Island, Daram Island, Maqueda, Villareal, Cambatutay, Irong-Irong and San Pedro Bays in Western Samar; Cancabato Bay and Tacloban City in Leyte; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Baroy in Lanao del Norte; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.

Also affected with the red tide toxin are the coastal waters of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal in Bataan province.

According to the BFAR’s Fisheries Resources Management Division, symptoms for paralytic shellfish poisoning would usually take place within 30 minutes. Reactions included tingling, first in the lips and tongue, spreading to the face, neck, fingertips and toes. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness and nausea. In severe cases, people who consumed the toxins may experience muscular paralysis and respiratory difficulty within five to 12 hours.

—LEO UDTOHAN