Red tide set for delayed until June 2013

Red tide phenomenon while you are eating seafood to be careful with what is here to stay!

Red tide is set to delay until June: Fisheries Department

Kota Kinabalu: red tide State Fisheries Department director Rayner Stuel Galid situation, according to the will peak around March to June and is expected to persist until the toxin levels. He immediately oysters, mussels and, cockles and shells with any kind of seafood including shellfish or any kind of bivalves advised people to refrain from consuming.

"Also, people eat them as food or for sale to the general public areas of the sea with the intention of collecting shellfish and bivalves should be avoided," he said.

The mouse bioassay Likas Fisheries Research Center in the Department of Fisheries by red tide toxins in shellfish method for the analysis said.

"Results 400 MU levels dangerous to humans, is considered as the lowest limit, the mouse unit (MU), as is.

"Shellfish samples taken to date some 6.900 MU (Putatan), 4.010 MU (Papar district) and 3,300 MU (Tuaran) as well as high levels has been shown to be regarded as very toxic is, "he said.

He said that in the past years in Sabah as toxic red tide occurrences to 11,000 MU as the bivalves have revealed.

On another note, the Department of Fisheries only in special lab to detect the presence of toxins in shellfish can, said, clams toxic to people or sight, smell or taste can be, not whether Can hidden.

"Shellfish toxins in them can not be washed away or through washing or food preparation and cooking of any kind of got rid off," he said.

Advised that include tingling.

He is a person has depends on the amount of toxins, followed by difficulty in breathing symptoms Skin "pins and needles pricking" arms and legs and a feeling of loss of control at this time, can grow on said.

"We have experienced any of the symptoms above, the nearest hospital or clinic to receive medical treatment immediately," he died as a result of the delay in treatment, he added.


Safe to use

The shovel-nosed lobsters and prawns, the shrimp and crabs, all kinds of moths are considered safe to eat the kinds of sea life, such as sharks and sting rays, barracuda, tenggeri as the coral fish hunter and all types of fish, and deep sea fish called jacks.

However, as a prudent measure, he said, users of any fish guts and gills are advised to throw them a fish to eat and are to be washed properly will be.

"In addition, dried, canned, bottled or any type of salted fish products are safe to be eaten," he added.