BFAR Warns Public of Red Tide in Masbate

Legazpi City — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Bicol has warned the public against eating all types of shellfish gathered from Mandaon, Masbate, after the coastal waters in these areas were tested positive for red tide toxin.

Noime Inulva, chief of BFAR Marine Fisheries Resource Management Section, said everyone should also avoid the scallop.

Masbate is a vast fishing ground for scallop, which is being exported for its abductor muscle locally called “tinga” that has made the province a scallop fishery hub of the Philippines.

“We are having meat and water samples to monitor the level of toxin,” Inulva added.

According to her, among the causes of red tide are the hot weather and frequent rain that cause upswelling of sea, resulting in the production of toxins. (PNA) CTB/FGS/AMM/CBD/RSM