MikeLigalig.com

DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 7  – Authorities have warned the public against shellfish consumption following the raised level of Red Tide occurrence in Tambobo Bay in Barangay Bonbonon in Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Recent laboratory tests of samples of shellfish meat and water taken from Tambobo Bay area were found to be positive of increased density of dinoflagellates or planktons that cause Red Tide events when elevated to abnormal levels.

On July 26, red tide was first monitored following sampling taken from at least three areas in Tambobo Bay, where private yachts and other fishing vessels are docked or anchored.

Wilmencita Pialogo, a marine biologist of the Provincial Agriculture’s Office (PAO) and team leader of the Provincial Red Tide Task Force, disclosed that laboratory sampling showed a high level of density of the red tide organism at 219 micrograms SPX per 100 grams of shellfish meat tested.

In an interview Monday afternoon, she said he tolerable level is only pegged at 60 micrograms SPX per 100 grams of shellfish.

Initial testing also showed the presence of what she described as a “potent species” of the Red Tide toxins that have contaminated the water and the shellfish in the bay area.

By July 31, another sampling was again done as part of their regular weekly monitoring of the Red Tide event, also known as algal bloom, said Pialago.

She believes the algal bloom was caused by agricultural run-offs, such as fertilizers from sugarcane fields following continuous heavy rains that may have triggered the Red Tide event.

Pialago explained that red tide organisms are present everywhere but at a tolerable level that would not pose harmful effects to humans or animals. However, when the presence of nitrates and phosphates are at higher levels, they trigger algal blooms that cause Red Tide to occur.

So far, authorities have not received reports of shellfish poisoning in the area.

As for fish consumption, residents in Tambobo Bay and nearby areas are advised to properly clean the fish taken from the bay by removing its gills and guts.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Provincial Red Tide Task Force have instructed officials of Barangay Bonbonon to warn residents against gathering shellfish for consumption until further notice.

Barangay Bonbonon councilman Celso Tuban said he received information on Saturday about the presence of Red Tide in the bay, thus he and other barangay officials visited the households especially in the coastal areas to warn them against shellfish consumption.

A resident of Tambobo Bay, who runs a mini-store in Tambobo Bay, admitted that she was worried about the possible prolonged ban against shellfish gathering. Elizabeth Palopalo said they gather a variety of shellfish for consumption that they usually harvest during low tide.

A lot of people in their community are dependent on shellfish for their daily meals, she added.

Meanwhile, the adjacent Siit Bay has tested negative of Red Tide, said Pialogo.

The Provincial Red Tide Task Force has taken samples again today, Monday, for another round of testing as they continue to monitor the situation at Tambobo Bay, she added. (Judy Flores Partlow/PNA)



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