Red Tide Continues to Affect Eastern Visayas Bays
TACLOBAN CITY – Three bays in Eastern Visayas remain affected by the toxic red tide, officials reported on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Recent tests on shellfish and seawater samples confirmed the presence of red tide toxins exceeding safety limits.
The exact four bays impacted by the red tide include Matarinao Bay, covering General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo towns in Eastern Samar. Both shellfish and seawater samples from these areas tested positive for harmful toxins, raising health concerns among local communities.
Local Warnings Issued for Additional Bays
Aside from Matarinao Bay, a local red tide alert has been raised for Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City and Irong-irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar province. Authorities noted that seawater samples from these bays also contain dangerous toxin levels.
Community leaders and officials strongly advise the public to avoid collecting, selling, or consuming any shellfish, including small shrimp, from the affected bays. “To safeguard human lives, we are issuing this warning as precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as alamang or hipon, from these bays,” local authorities said.
Safe Seafood Practices Amid Red Tide
While shellfish remain unsafe, fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs are considered safe to eat if they are fresh, thoroughly washed, and properly prepared. It is important to remove internal organs such as gills and intestines before cooking to prevent any health risks.
Experts warn that consuming shellfish contaminated with red tide toxins can lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning, a serious condition that may cause death.
National Scope and Causes of Red Tide
Nationwide, only three bays are currently listed in the latest national shellfish bulletin as affected by red tide. Besides the three bays in Eastern Visayas, Dumanquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and the coastal waters of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay also remain impacted.
Officials explained that the resurgence of red tide in these regions is linked to the presence of red tide cysts. Frequent rains contribute to soil sediment runoff rich in organic matter, which fertilizes these cysts and triggers the toxic blooms.
For more news and updates on red tide in Eastern Visayas, visit Filipinokami.com.
