Based on a recent Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) bulletin, Batan Bay, located in Aklan, remains red tide-free, indicating the harvesting and consumption of shellfish is safe.

Last year, Gigantes Island, located within Carles, Iloilo, experienced red tide conditions twice, with the most recent occurring in September 2017. At the time, Carles Mayor Siegfredo Betita declared a State of Calamity in certain coastal communities of the municipality.

BFAR later declared the area red tide-free the following month.

A red tide is caused by an overabundance of a certain algae, which can discolor the water and be toxic or harmful to people, fish, marine life, and birds./PLL, WDJ