Legazpi City - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bicol has announced that the region has retained its red tide-free status for the past eight months. This status was confirmed based on the latest shellfish bulletin issued on Tuesday. Rowena Briones, the spokesperson for BFAR-Bicol, reported the results of laboratory testing from four bays and coastal waters in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the last red tide occurrence in Milagros town, Masbate, was on March 11, 2023, and the area was declared red tide-free by March 16. The monitored areas in Bicol include Sorsogon Bay, Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon, and the coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate. Briones expressed gratitude for the red tide-free status, especially with the upcoming Christmas season, as shellfish harvested in these areas are safe for human consumption. She added that gathering, harvesting, and marketing of shellfish are permitted. BFAR-Bicol conducts regular testing of water samples to ensure the safety of shellfish for consumption and sends samples for thorough analysis to the national laboratory if seawater tests positive for red tide. Red tide is a phenomenon where water turns discolored due to a high concentration of algae.