TACLOBAN CITY – Ormoc Bay in Leyte, encompassing Ormoc City and the municipalities of Albuera, Merida, and Leyte, Leyte, has been declared free of toxic red tide, according to an advisory released by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Thursday, Dec. 19.
Shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as “alamang,” harvested from these areas are now safe for human consumption.
However, BFAR reported that several bodies of water in Eastern Visayas remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) due to red tide toxin levels exceeding the regulatory limit. A shellfish ban remains strictly enforced in the following areas: Daram Island, Zumarraga Island, and Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, all in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, covering the towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo; and Biliran Island, Biliran province.
Red tide is caused by blooms of harmful algae, including Pyrodinium bahamense, a dinoflagellate known to produce saxitoxin. This toxin can accumulate in shellfish and cause PSP in humans, a potentially fatal condition affecting the nervous system.
BFAR advises against harvesting, selling, or consuming shellfish and “alamang” from the affected areas to prevent poisoning.
Symptoms of PSP include numbness, tingling, dizziness, and in severe cases, respiratory paralysis.
Meantime, filtered seawater samples from these areas also remain positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, namely, Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City; Guiuan, Eastern Samar; and Calbayog City, Samar.
While shellfish and alamang from affected areas are unsafe, fish, squid, shrimp, and crab are safe to eat provided they are fresh and properly prepared.
BFAR advises removing internal organs such as intestines and gills and thoroughly cleaning the seafood before cooking.
Residents are strongly urged to comply with the advisory to avoid health risks.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
