Red tide alert raised in 6 provinces in South

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently issued a bulletin warning that shellfish collected from the seawaters of six Mindanao provinces are still positive for paralytic shellfish toxins beyond the regulatory limit.

The BFAR identified the affected areas as Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; Dumaquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Hinatuan, Bislig and Linanga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; and Mahinog Bay in Camiguin.

“All types of shellfish and Acctes sp. or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption,” the BFAR said.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is considered life-threatening, as its symptoms are purely neurological and its onset is rapid, the BFAR said.

Symptoms include tingling, numbness and burning near the mouth and nose, ataxia or loss of muscle coordination, giddiness, drowsiness, fever, rashes, and staggering.

In severe cases, it may result in respiratory arrest within 24 hours of consuming toxic shellfish.

“There is no antidote to the red tide toxin and supportive therapy is the rule for survivors to recover fully,” the bureau said.

Fish, squid, shrimp and crab from the affected areas are safe to eat “provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” it said.