The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is monitoring a cove between Medellin town and Bogo City in northern Cebu for possible red tide contamination, which is a common occurrence in the country during the dry season.
Health authorities used to monitor only the Cogtong Bay and Maribojoc Bay in Bohol where red tide is a yearly problem among the fisherfolk. Now, BFAR-7 is extending the monitoring to other bays in Central Visayas, fearing a possible contamination.
BFAR-7 Director Allan Poquita said that temperature is a key factor that causes the occurrence of red tide as it may trigger algal bloom. Another main contributor aside from climatic conditions, he explained, is the geographical landscapes.
As the red tide warning has been raised over the region, health authorities should also strictly keep an eye on the sale of sea products in the market. Products that are easily contaminated should be closely watched to prevent them from finding their way into the hands of consumers.
We have already heard or read media reports regarding many people who landed in the hospital after consuming products contaminated by red tide. These incidents occurred because many consumers lack the proper knowledge about the deadly effects of the contamination.
The problem is that information dissemination sometimes does not reach those in areas where red tide occurrences are common that shellfish harvest still continues despite the ban during red tide alert. This is a problem that authorities need to focus on.
It's probably high time for authorities to change the course of their campaign. And their drive should include strict enforcement of shellfish ban in red tide areas and the religious seizure of those contaminated products sold in the market.
The consuming public longs for a time when they do not need to worry about buying contaminated sea products during red tide warnings. That is why concerned government agencies have to be aggressive in their monitoring and law enforcement.