Red tide alert still up in Dauis, Bohol

CEBU, Philippines – The red tide alert remained in effect in Dauis town of Bohol, six months after BFAR authorities tagged its waters as positive of algal bloom, indicating red tide toxins.

The latest laboratory results of BFAR central office showed the specimen collected from the coastal waters off Dauis was positive of red tide toxins, prompting the local officials to stop the people from eating shellfish and other marine animals taken from here.

“Shellfishes collected at the coastal waters of Dauis in Bohol are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit,” read the one-page Shellfish Bulletin No. 34.

BFAR-7 Assistant Regional Director Allan Poquita warned that all types of shellfish and acetes or alamang harvested from these waters are still not safe for human consumption due to saxitoxin, a powerful neurotoxin produced by certain dinoflagellates found in red tides and that sometimes occurs in and renders toxic normally edible mollusks that feed on these.

Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs, on the other hand, are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking, said Poquita.

He also said fisherfolks are still banned from fishing in the waters of Dauis, the local government of which has been monitoring the area to ensure that marined products here will not be sold or transported to other provinces, like Cebu.

Bohol is one of the major sources of marine products, such as fish, shellfish, seedweed, prawns and crabs, and Poquita reminded consumers to be always vigilant although so far there were no reports of red tide poisoning.

Poquita admitted BFAR has no idea yet on when the phenomenon will end. “We cannot predict, and what we can only do for now is to monitor and advise the public about it. Regular testing of shellfish in Dauis is being done every day, he said. (FREEMAN)