THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) withdrew the red tide alert for three bays in Negros Oriental following laboratory tests proved no evidence of harmful algal blooms (HABs).
BFAR warnings state that all shellfish and “alamang” (small shrimp) gathered from Bais Bay in Bais City, as well as Siit Bay and Tambobo Bay in Siaton town, are now safe for human consumption.
BFAR-Negros Oriental provincial chief Florencia Mepaña verified the withdrawal of the shellfish warning issued on Oct. 25 with two different alerts from the BFAR-7 (Central Visayas) office, dated Nov. 19.
On November 4 and 11, BFAR personnel collected samples from all three bays for laboratory analysis.
“The results of the samples submitted and analyzed were all below the Philippine Regulatory Limit for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP),” according to the advisory issued by BFAR-7 Regional Director Mario Ruinata
In September, BFAR released a red tide warning for Bais Bay owing to elevated toxin levels that could cause PSP.
Subsequent tests in the impacted bays revealed elevated levels of pyridinium and saxitoxins, both hazardous chemicals that can cause disease or death when taken in large quantities.
Mepaña stated that BFAR and local government units in Bais City and Siaton will frequently check water and shellfish samples from the three bays to protect public health and the shellfish sector.
The red tide advice is a preventive measure given when HAB toxins reach the acceptable threshold for human consumption.