The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas has assured the public that red tide has not reached its shores. BFAR Regional Director Drusila Bayate struck off reports that El Nino phenomenon's smoldering heat can spawn red tide, as she clarified that certain microscopic plants called algae, particularly the brown and red species which give rise to the reddening of sea water, are entirely to blame for the occurrence of red tide. Bayate traced the formation of red tide to toxic algae which thrive in stationary coastal waters.

No red tide in W. Visayas - BFAR. (2010, March 9). The Daily Guardian, pp. 2, 5.