Red tide still present in Balete Bay, Mati City, Davao Oriental

DAVAO CITY, Nov 5 (PIA) Mussels and sea shells from Balete Bay in Mati City remain unfit for human consumption due to the Red Tide phenomenon.

Fatma Idris, director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Natural Resources in Davao Region said that since September and up to the present the Red Tide Alert remains up in the Northwestern Part of the Pujada Bay in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

She explained that during a red tide occurrence, a large concentration of aquatic microorganisms called dinoflagellates gather in large number and take on either brown or red color.

Idris underscored that eating sea shells from a classified Red Tide area is dangerous to one’s health.

She said that Red Tide is caused by sudden change in temperature and the siltation of the sea bed.

“The Red Tide Warning issued in September remains up in Balete Bay so eating shells sourced from this area is dangerous at it may cause paralysis and death,” Idris said.

She called on the consumers to be vigilant and for the vendors to know the source of their shells.

Idris assured that shells sourced in other parts of the region like Samal Island and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur are safe for human consumption.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)