The deadly algae bloom, commonly known as the red tide phenomenon, will peak in the next two months statewide.
Sabah
Fisheries Department director Rayner Stuel Galid said that red tide was
recorded in November last year and will begin peaking between this
month and February before tailing off by June.
“We are conducting
daily tests and have found high toxicity in the west coast,” he said,
adding that anything above 400 mouse units (MU) was considered
dangerous.
Galid advised people to avoid eating oysters, mussels,
cockles and any type of clam though other marine products like fish,
prawns and crabs were safe for consumption.
He said the red tide
has been seen in waters off Papar, Kota Kinabalu and Tuaran in the west
coast while they have not received any reports in the east coast.
Two boys, aged 14 and nine, died from paralytic shellfish poisoning after consuming cockles on Jan 1.
The
older boy died a day after eating the shellfish while the second boy
died on Friday, according to Sabah Health Department director Dr
Christina Rundi in a statement.
The boys had collected the cockles from the seafront at Sepanggar about 30km from here and were said to have eaten them raw.
Galid said clams, even when cooked, are still poisonous and should be avoided during the red tide season.
Red
tide is a natural phenomenon whereby algae form large colonies which
produce harmful effects to marine life. The density of the algae colours
the surface of the sea red.
Source: The Star
elakkan makan makanan laut buat masa ini.
ReplyDeleteDespite repeated red tide warnings by the Fisheries Department, fishmongers remain upbeat on sales prospects, with some saying “business is running as usual”.
ReplyDeletecustomers have become more selective and asked more questions since the warnings were issued.
ReplyDeleteThe red tide phenomenon had been detected at Tasik Sitompok in Kuala Penyu, Kota Kinabalu, Pulau Gaya, Sepanggar Bay (including Kuala Menggatal), Likas Bay, Papar and Tuaran.
ReplyDeletewhen the situation returns to normal, the department would issue another reminder to tell consumers that the red tide incident is over.
ReplyDeletemost fish were safe for consumption as long as their gills and intestines were removed
ReplyDeletePeople should also avoid shells as they accumulate high toxin
ReplyDeleteThere is a high possibility that other adjoining districts will be affected (by the red tide) in the future
ReplyDeleteIt is also expected that shellfish will become more toxic as these dinoflagellates become more numerous in the sea
ReplyDeletesafe to eat are all types of prawns and crabs including shovel-nosed lobsters, mantis shrimps, all types of coral fish and fish which are predatory such as sharks and sting rays, barracuda, tenggiri, jacks, etc, and deep sea fishes.
ReplyDeleteany type of dried, canned, bottled or salted fish products are safe to eat
Delete