The red tide toxin in the waters of Daram Island in Western Samar has reached “beyond the regulatory limit”
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed that the coastal waters of Daram Island in Daram town, Western Samar province are positive for red tide toxin, and the shellfishes collected in the area are not safe to be consumed by humans.
Red tide, also known algal bloom, is a phenomenon caused by a few species of dinoflagellates and takes on a red or brown color.
Red tide occurrence in some places appears to be entirely natural while in others, the phenomenon appears to be a result of increased nutrient loading out of activities of the humans living along the area.
In a bulletin issued on December 31, 2016, the BFAR has enlisted Daram island in its list of areas positive for red tide or paralytic shellfish poison, which according to the same bulletin, has reached “beyond the regulatory limit”.
Daram is a third class rural municipality in Western Samar, with fishing and agriculture as the major livelihood of approximately 42, 879 people living in the island.
Aside from shellfishes, Kelp, a kind of seaweed, is also a major harvest and it is being exported in all parts of the world.
Now that red tide toxins infect the coastal waters of the island, their main source of livelihood is greatly affected, making the fishermen resort to agriculture, but get way too little than they do in fishing.
Aside from the Daram Island, the BFAR has also included in its list the Irong-Itong and Cambatutay Bays, also in Western Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; the coastal waters of Leyte; and Calubian and Carigara Bays, also in Leyte.
Also in the list are the coastal waters of Biliran province; coastal waters of Gigantes Island in Carles town, Iloilo province; and the coastal waters of Dauis town and Tagbilaran City in Bohol province.
The BFAR bulletin advises the public that the shellfishes and “alamang” in the areas “are not safe for human consumption” due to the red tide toxin.
Also affected by the red tide toxin are fish, shrimps, and squids. However, BFAR said they are still safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly with their internal organs like intestines and gills removed before cooking.
