Red tide contamination in Capiz spreads

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Red tide contamination in the province of Capiz has spread after shellfish samples from the waters of President Roxas and Sapian Bay in Sapian and Ivisan towns tested positive for the toxin.

Red tide was first detected in the waters of Roxas City and Panay and Pilar towns.

This was based on Shellfish Bulletin No.19 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Central Office in Quezon City dated October 5, 2022.

Aside from the coastal waters of Capiz, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning or red tide toxin were also detected in Dauis and Tagbiliran City in Bohol, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, and Dumaquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur.

The Capiz provincial government continued to advise the public to refrain from harvesting, transporting, selling and eating shellfish while the said contamination has not been lifted.

Meanwhile, the provincial government extended assistance to households and fisherfolks in two villages of Pilar town that were affected by red tide.

Some 360 households/fisherfolks from Barangay Binaobawan and 120 in Barangay Poblacion received relief goods consisting of 10 kilos of rice, 10 noodle packs, 5 cans of sardine, beef loaf and corned beef.