LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – The province has raised red tide alert in two western coastal towns.
This after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources detected toxic red tide from the coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda and warned the public from consuming shell products coming from said towns.
In a letter, BFAR Regional Director Rosario Segundina P. Gaerlan told Gov. Ramon V. Guico III that laboratory analysis conducted by the agency proved sea water coming from said towns are positive for red tide toxin.
“As a precautionary measure, concerned LGUs (Local Government Unit) are advised to require their market inspectors, quarantine officers and administrators to demand traders for ‘Auxilliary Invoice’ from the point of origin or Local Transport Permit issued by BFAR for all fish and fishery products including seashells unloaded and marketer to ensure that it did not come from areas positive of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP),” the letter stated.
The BFAR has posted the red tide advisory last Thursday.
Numbered 2025-01-01, the BFAR cautioned the public to refrain from gathering, selling and eating all types of shellfish as well as ‘alamang’ coming from the affected areas to avoid possible paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Fish, squid, crab and shrimps are, however, safe to eat provided that they are fresh, the nostrils removed, and washed thoroughly with running water before cooking.
Red tide is caused by rapid increase in microscopic algae (dinoflagellates) that are often triggered by environmental factors such as warm temperatures, high nutrient levels, and changes in water salinity, as well as human activities like pollution. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
