Seafoods affected in Mati Red Tide

Red tide affecting shellfish in Palawan| Manila Online

If you are living near Balite Bay, Mati City, you have to refrain from eating shrimps, crabs, fish and other shellfish that were harvested in the area.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has confirmed presence of red tide toxin in Balite Bay.

"Dito sa atin, meron pa ring red tide sa Balite Bay, Mati City, so we need to be careful in buying or eating mga shellfish and even crabs kasi sila yung mga filter eater," BFAR-Davao Director Fatma Idris said confirming that a paralytic poison has been detected.

Matinians are advised to take extra care in buying seafoods. Early symptoms if poisoned are dizziness, shortness of breath, and headache. 

The same red tide case has also been recorded positive in the bay of Mandaon, Masbate.

BFAR suggested that shrimps and other shellfish are safe for human consumption except those affected with red tide. 

In cooking shellfish, it has to be thoroughly washed. Gills and intestines must be disposed before cooking.

Red tide is a common name for a phenomenon known as an algal bloom (large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms) when it is caused by a few species of dinoflagellates and the bloom takes on a red or brown color.