Red tide alert up in Samar

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – Authorities have raised a red tide alert in Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan town.

This, after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported on Monday that two villagers have died and 16 others have been hospitalized for shellfish poisoning in the barangays of Gallego and Bahay in Tarangnan.

Local BFAR chief Rolando Ay-ay said most of the victims ate mussels (tahong) harvested from Cambatutay Bay which, together with Maqueda Bay, is a major source of seafood in Samar.