LINGAYEN – The ban against shellfish from Anda and Bolinao remains.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) announced that it has not lifted its advisory against gathering and consuming shellfish including tahong (mussels) and talaba (oysters) from the two western towns following numerous inquiries from consumers.

The shellfish from these two towns were earlier found positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).

BFAR Regional Director Nestor Domenden said the situation has not improved citing tests that the level of toxins has not lowered within the regulatory limit.

Domenden had written Governor Victor Agbayani about BFAR’s findings that fresh shell meat samples taken in the said towns were positive of the dangerous poison caused by red tide organisms.

The provincial government, in turn, wrote municipal mayors of the two towns directing them to inform the public to “refrain from harvesting, gathering, transporting, marketing and eating shellfish from the said areas until further notice”.

Domenden added that samples from Anda and Bolinao are tested every week and expressed hope that the advent of the rainy season will improve the condition.

BFAR records showed that mussels gathered in barangays Luciente and Luna in Bolinao and Siapar in Anda, were positive for PSP.

BFAR’s Shellfish Bulletin  No 07 dated April 13 also said that several coastal areas in Mindanaoare also still positive for red tide toxin (PSP toxins) and toxic red tide organisms and therefore covered by the shellfish ban. 

Domenden said the limit for such organisms is 40 micrograms per 100 grams meat weight. “If it is higher, these are already considered dangerous to our health,” he said.

He added that every summer, these red tide organisms come out but they eventually die during rainy season.- EVA

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