Sabah's Red Tide

We are in Miri (Sarawak) back again for about 2 weeks and I want to share about the current red tide that is now affecting Sabah's waters. A 23 year old woman and 40 something people have been hospitalized after consuming red tide infected toxic mussels.

According to The Star, dated 15 February 2013, 

'the "red tide" refers to the contamination or infestation of marine waters by microscopic algae whose concentration is so dense that they cause the water to look brownish orange or red. Some species of these algae produce potentially fatal toxins. Should humans consume marine creatures that ate these algae, there could be fatal consequences. Minor poisoning results in numbness around the mouth, neck and face. More serious poisoning causes major headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The initial symptoms include tingling lips and tongue, a sensation of "pins and needles" on the skin, followed by loss of control of arms and legs, and breathing difficulty.'

The red tide warning was first issued by the Fisheries Department on 12 December 2012. The first red tide in Sabah to be reported was in 1976, after which it is said to be a yearly occurrence  The red tide often takes place in stagnant waters and Sabah is known to have many lagoons. 

Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department is keeping a close watch on the red tide. Fortunately, Sarawak does not have as many lagoons so the water is constantly flowing. The toxin from the red tide tends to accumulate in shellfish (crustaceans) because they are filter feeders and sedentary. Pelagic fish may also be affected because they feed on plankton, but they swim freely and thus the level of toxin in them may not be as critical as in shellfish. 

All shellfish or pelagic fish caught in a red tide zone, even when cooked, are considered poisonous.'

All right, pelagic fish? What's that? According to Wikipedia, "pelagic fish live near the surface or on the water column of coastal, ocean and lake waters, but not on the bottom of the sea or the lake."

www.borneopedia.com

Hope this was helpful! Be safe, eat safe...