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 unpredictability of red tide blooms and the absence of an antidote for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). To manage the situation, BFAR conducts weekly sampling when red tide is detected, and the ban on shellfish will only be lifted after three consecutive negative test results. Briones noted that regular monitoring would resume twice monthly once safety is confirmed. Factors such as monsoons, rainfall, and temperature fluctuations can trigger red tide, leading to harmful algal blooms. Consuming affected shellfish can cause severe symptoms including numbness, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, tingling, paralysis, and potentially fatal respiratory failure. However, Briones reassured that fish from the area are safe to eat if they are fresh, well-cleaned, and gutted before cooking. She also reported that three other 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.
