Eastern Visayas is threatened by what the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources describes as the biggest red tide bloom that has not been seen in more than three decades. BFAR regional director Juan Albaladejo said the prolonged dry season this year and sudden downpour caused the bloom in eight bays and coastal waters, considered as the region’s major source of shellfish. The discoloration of seawater is triggered by massive population growth of few species of a type of algae that produce toxins.

Caspe, M. (2015, December 6). ‘Biggest red tide bloom’. Manila Standard, p. A8.