After 16 months, a ride tide alert remains raised over Tagbilaran City and Dauis town as coastal waters in the two localities still tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through Selfish Bulletin No. 14 issued on August 9, reminded the public to still refrain from harvesting and consuming shellfish from waters off Tagbilaran City and Dauis as these are not safe for human consumption.
Paralytic selfish poison found in the areas are “beyond the regulatory limit.”
“Kaning phytoplankton, kini cause g’yud sa red tide, abundant jud siya karon. Taas pa gihapon ang concentration nila jud sa atoang kinhason,” said Candido Sumijon, officer-in-charge of BFAR Bohol.
Meanwhile, fish, squid, crabs and other marine product’s are safe for human consumption given that these are consumed fresh and washed thoroughly with organs such gills and intestines removed before cooking.
Other areas found to be positive of paralytics selfish poison are Puerteo Pricesa Bay in Palawan; San Pedro, Maqueda, Irong-irong, Salinga and Cambutay Bays in Western Samar; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.
According to Sumijon, they are conducting “experimental” planting of seaweeds in waters off Barangay Bool in Tagbilaran City which could help in reducing red tide toxins in the area by absorbing nutrients that cause the number of phytoplankton, or microalgae, to increase.
The increase in the density of phytoplankton or microalgae can cause high concentration of algal bloom, commonly known as red tide.
“Mo filter mana siya og nutrients. Hopefully basin makatabang na. Kanang nutrients sa tubig na mao nay usa na mopataas sa level sa plankton ba, so basin mahog ba na mura’g naay competition sa pag gamit sa nutrients,” he said.
The test planting started last month and is expected to be expanded in the following weeks.
“Hopefully makadaghan ta og semilya atong ikatag sa lugar na di pud makasagabal sa mga agi-anan,” he said.
The experimental method is done for the first time in the province to try to reduce algal bloom and stop red tide.
Sumijon however said that there is no guarantee that the initiative will work but noted that the seaweed can still be sold in markets if the program fails. (A. Dodyora)