Puerto Princesa Bay continues to be free from red tide according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
In its latest shellfish bulletin dated March 9, 2020, BFAR noted Puerto Princesa Bay remains free from paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa and coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan, also continue to be free from toxic red tides, the bulletin indicated.
Puerto Princesa Bay was first declared free from red tide last month in BFAR’s Shellfish Bulletin No. 4 dated February 21, after around one year of being positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
Earlier, BFAR assistant regional director Roberto Abrera told Palawan Daily News (PDN) the two main factors that helped free the bay from toxic red tides are the summer season and the northeast monsoon or amihan.
He said the northeast monsoon causes stronger waves in the sea that disrupts the accumulation and concentration of algae.
On the other hand, Abrera said the absence of rain in the summer season prevents the nutrients from uplands to flow towards the sea, which can nourish the algae.
This latest bulletin is second in a row following the first notice released in February that declared Puerto Princesa Bay free from red tide.