Red tide alert up in Pangasinan
LINGAYEN–Avoid eating, gathering, collecting, harvesting and marketing shellfish, shrimp and crabs from the coastal waters of Barangay Wawa in Bani.
The warning came from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in an advisory issued on Friday.
But fish from the area, on the other hand, remain safe for human consumption, according to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ferdinand Totaon.
He stressed, however, that the fish should be fresh, washed thoroughly, and their internal organs such as gills and intestines removed before cooking.
Test results from samples of taken from Wawa showed positive for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin as a result of red tide.
The BFAR said the advisory will be in effect until further testings show the area is safe from red tide microorganism or until the shellfish toxicity level there is below the regulatory limit.
Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. has instructed the PHO to coordinate closely with BFAR and the concerned local government units’ fishery technicians in monitoring the coastal waters of Wawa, Bani and adjacent areas to safeguard public health and protect the fishery industry.
The municipality of Bani, meanwhile, has been asked by the BFAR to disseminate the shellfish advisory and secure the area until further notice.—LM
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