Pangasinan now red tide-free
SHELLFISH and other marine products from all parts of Pangasinan are now safe to eat after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) declared all coastal waters of the province free from the toxic red tide.
BFAR announced in Shellfish Bulletin No. 9 issued last April 10 that Bolinao and Anda in western Pangasinan, which have previously been affected, are now clear of the toxin.
Regional Director Nestor Domenden of BFAR, however, still cautioned local government units to continue monitoring harvest areas for the harmful algal bloom and inspect shellfish brought to the markets since some parts of the country continue to be positive of red tide.
Among the areas still affected are Bataan’s coastal waters (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal); Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; and coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate.
In Dagupan, Mayor Belen Fernandez welcomed the good news, especially at a time when the city is in the midst of its Bangus Festival 2014 celebration.
City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina assured that despite the lifting of the ban on products from western Pangasinan, all shellfish and other aqua products will still be required to have a duly-issued auxiliary invoice from point of origin when transported to the city’s markets.—LVM with reports from PIA1-Pangasinan/AMM and CIO
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