LEGAZPI CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bicol (BFAR-5) has issued a stern warning against the collection, sale, and transport of shellfish from the municipal waters of Milagros, Masbate, following the detection of red tide toxins in recent samples. BFAR-5 spokesperson Rowena Briones disclosed that the shellfish meat samples contained a toxin level of 101.38 μg STX per 100 grams, surpassing the safety threshold of 60 μg STX per 100 grams. Additional samples were dispatched to Manila for further testing, Briones confirmed. She emphasized the unpredictable nature of red tide blooms and the absence of an antidote for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). BFAR maintains a vigilant monitoring schedule, increasing to weekly checks upon detection of red tides. The ban on shellfish will only be lifted after three consecutive negative test results. Briones noted that BFAR would then revert to bi-monthly monitoring. She highlighted that environmental factors like monsoons, rainfall, and temperature fluctuations can precipitate red tide events, fostering harmful algal blooms. Consuming contaminated shellfish can lead to severe symptoms including facial numbness, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, tingling sensations, paralysis of extremities, and weakness, potentially leading to fatal respiratory failure. However, Briones reassured the public that fish from the area remain safe for consumption if they are fresh, well-cleaned, and gutted before cooking. She also reported that three other monitored areas—Sorsogon Bay, Juan Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon, and the coastal waters of Mandaon, Masbate—have tested negative for PSP and are deemed safe for consumption.
