Shellfish ban in 2 P’sinan towns stays

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has not yet lifted its ban on gathering and consuming shellfish, including tahong (mussels) and talaba (oysters), from Anda and Bolinao towns.

BFAR regional director Nestor Domenden said he has not yet lifted the shellfish ban in the two towns because the situation has not improved yet.

"Hindi pa masyadong bumaba nang husto sa regulatory limit yung level ng toxins (The level of toxins has not significantly gone below the regulatory limit)," he said.

Recently, Domenden wrote Gov. Victor Agbayani to inform him about the BFAR Shellfish Bulletin No. 07 and the results of tests on fresh shell meat samples taken from the two towns, showing that they were positive for toxins from red tide organisms.

Agbayani, through provincial administrator Virgilio Solis, wrote the mayors of the two towns enjoining them to inform the public to "refrain from harvesting, gathering, transporting, marketing and eating shellfish from the said areas until further notices."

Domenden said they are monitoring samples from the two towns every week, expressing hopes that the rainy season would improve the situation.

Under BFAR’s Shellfish Bulletin No 07 dated April 13, other coastal areas are listed as positive for red tide toxins.

These are the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon; Irong-irong Bay in Samar; and Lianga Bay in Barobo and Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.