Red tide alert issued for Samar bay; shellfish ban in effect

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has issued the red tide advisory after shellfish samples from Irong-Irong Bay tested positive for paralytic shellfish toxin, a naturally occurring marine biotoxin that accumulates in mollusks and poses serious health risks to consumers.

In response to the contamination, authorities have prohibited the gathering, sale, and consumption of all shellfish varieties and alamang—small shrimp commonly used in Filipino cuisine—sourced from the affected waters. The ban encompasses both commercial and subsistence harvesting operations in the bay.

Red tide events, caused by harmful algal blooms, have become an increasing concern in Philippine waters. Consumption of contaminated shellfish can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, which produces symptoms ranging from numbness and tingling to respiratory paralysis in severe cases.

The BFAR continues to monitor water conditions in Irong-Irong Bay. Residents and fishing communities in the area have been advised to comply strictly with the harvest ban until the advisory is lifted and toxin levels return to safe levels.