BFAR-7 bans shellfish products from Siaton, NegOr

(CDNFILE PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

RED TIDE ALERT

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas (BFAR-7) temporarily prohibits the sale, delivery and consumption of shellfish products from the town of Siaton in Negros Oriental due to red tide.

According to BFAR-7, the coastal waters of Siaton is still positive with red tide toxin. The harmful toxins have affected shellfish such as green mussels, oysters and clams.

Red tide is a phenomenon caused by algal blooms which discolors coastal waters. The algal bloom depletes oxygen in the water and release toxins that poison shellfish and other marine organisms.

The intake of contaminated shellfish may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in humans.

BFAR-7 director Allan Poquita ordered fish vendors and dealers in the town to avoid marketing and distributing all kinds of shellfish to consumers until the red tide warning in Siaton is lifted.

“Wala pa na sila na clear kay sige pa ang red tide (Siaton is not yet cleared because the town is still experiencing red tide),” Poquita said on Sunday.
Siaton, a first class municipality in Negros Oriental, has had red tide since last week.

Poquita said BFAR-7 already asked the local government of Siaton to monitor its shellfish markets.

Neighboring municipalities of Siaton have been warned to refrain from getting shellfish supplies from the affected town.

Although the red tide alert was raised in one area only, Poquita said BFAR-7 has also sent out advisories to all towns and cities in Central Visayas.

“We coordinated with the local government units sa pag-transport og mga shellfish gikan sa usa ka province, kinahanglan g’yud nga naay permit (We coordinated with the local government units in Central Visayas to secure transport permits in gathering and transporting shellfish),” the BFAR-7 director said.

Local transport permits are needed to ensure that the shellfish supplies being transported to different provinces are not from red tide-affected areas.

Seawater samples have already been taken from Siaton. The water samples will be used to check on the toxic micro algae.

Shellfish samples taken from the affected coastal waters will also be used to monitor the toxins. Shellfish toxicity is determined by mouse bio-assay.