BFAR-8: Samar’s 3 bays now free of red tide

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines  — Three fishing bays in Samar province, after several months of contamination, have been declared free of the red tide.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region 8 made the declaration yesterday after latest tests on shellfish samples collected from Irong-Irong Bay showed negative results of the paralytic poison, thus opening the area for fishing again.

BFAR-8 Director Asis Perez said Maqueda Bay and Villareal Bay, both in Samar, were already declared red tide-free about two months ago, and only Irong-Irong Bay remained contaminated until yesterday’s announcement.

However, Perez clarified that the nearby coastal waters of Milagros town in Masbate continued to be afflicted with the red tide and warned villagers in that area to refrain from gathering and consuming all types of shellfish.

“Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided these are fresh and should washed and cleaned thoroughly and all of the internal organs are properly removed,” Perez said.

Perez also told The Freeman that all other fishing bays in Eastern Visayas, including the waters in Calbayog City that was affected before, are now free of red tide.  (FREEMAN)