Removal of structures in Caquipotan Channel urged
LONGEST RED TIDE PRESENCE
THE National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC) urged the red tide affected local government units (LGUs) to address the phenomenon through collective efforts.
The red ride alert is still up in Alaminos City, Bolinao, Anda and Wawa Bani for almost four months now, the longest in these areas so far, said Director Westly Rosario, chief of NIFTDC.
He said three factors affect the occurrence and duration of the phenomenon, the presence of sunlight which enables the growth of the organism, the salinity of the water and the amount of nutrients or pollutants.
He told a forum since the first two factors are from nature and therefore, cannot be controlled by man, the third one can be addressed since it was produced by the activities of men.
Rosario pointed out that the nutrients could be coming from the structures in Caquipotan channel between the towns of Anda and Bolinao.
“These structures might also be hindering the normal flow of water. Through the high tide and low tide the nutrients or pollutants supposedly were washed out but with the structures, these pollutants are not washed out but instead are settled in the water”, said Rosario.
Rosario said dredging the area was recommended but he admitted it would be costly and harmful for the other organisms and life in the sea.
“We highly recommend instead the removal of the structures in the channel or the LGUs should come up with a solution to this through their collective efforts”, said Rosario.
On the other hand, he disclosed the red tide phenomenon also has positive effects to the shellfish industry.
“During the phenomenon, the shellfishes do not actually die but they continuously grow, on the positive note, after the months of shellfish ban, the shellfishes would have grown bigger. Their sizes might qualify for export”, said Rosario.
He said exporters refused the shellfishes from the province due to shortage in the required size. (Hilda Austria/PNA)
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