Philippines: Red tide alert up again in Dauis, Tagbilaran City

Elvira C. Bongosia Philippines Information Agency 22 Nov 16;

TAGBILARAN CITY, November 22 (PIA) --The coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City tested positive again for algae that produces the red tide toxin, according to the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7).

The advisory was relayed to the Bohol media on Saturday by BFAR-Bohol Information Officer Nimfa Mesina.

The BFAR bulletin said that the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City tested positive for red tide toxin.

Gathering and selling shellfish from Dauis and Tagbilaran City sea waters are banned until further notice because they are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

It was only in March this year that the longest red tide alert in the province had been lifted by the bureau.

A similar red tide advisory covering Dauis and Tagbilaran areas ran from June last year to March this year.

However, BFAR-Bohol continued to warn local governments of Dauis and Tagbilaran City to remain vigilant and continue monitoring the coastal areas to make sure any resurgence of red tide toxins would be promptly acted upon.

By mid-October this year, BFAR-7 already warned Bohol consumers of the possible resurgence of red tide.

Red tide is the common term for harmful algal blooms, specifically when colonies of algae grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on shellfish and other marine animals. (rmn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

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