Siaton: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 7, Central Visayas, has officially announced that Siit Bay in Siaton, Negros Oriental, is now free from the toxic red tide.

According to Philippines News Agency, BFAR-Negros Oriental provincial chief Florencia Mepa±a confirmed in an interview that the bay's shellfish meat tested negative for harmful red tide toxins. This conclusion was reached following a laboratory examination, indicating that the shellfish in the area had not ingested water contaminated with toxins responsible for harmful algal blooms.

Previously, on June 13, BFAR 7 issued a public advisory warning local residents against harvesting, consuming, or selling shellfish and 'alamang' (small shrimp) from Siit Bay. This advisory came after water samples from the bay tested positive for red tide-causing toxins. The bureau had identified elevated levels of Pyrodinium bahamense, a harmful dinoflagellate known to cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, which necessitated the warning.

Despite the recent declaration, Mepa±a stated that local BFAR authorities conducted additional water sampling from Siit Bay earlier this week as a precautionary measure. She also mentioned that while Bais Bay in Bais City and Tambobo Bay in Siaton remain free from red tide, they are subject to regular monitoring, particularly during the rainy season when red tide occurrences are more frequent.