Bataan shellfish ban stays

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has reiterated its warning to the public not to eat shellfish gathered in Bataan.

The BFAR said latest test results showed that shellfish in the waters of Balanga City and seven other towns in Bataan are still contaminated with red tide toxins.

“Our appeal to the public is to refrain from gathering and eating shellfish from seven towns and one city in Bataan. The ban remains in effect,” BFAR said in its advisory.

These are in Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Abucay, Samal and Orani and the city of Balanga.

BFAR Central Luzon information officer Lanie Lamyong said tests done on shellfish samples showed that the red tide toxin level is “significantly higher than the 60g STXg/100g tolerable limit.”

Lamyong, however, said fishes harvested from Bataan’s coastal waters are safe to eat for as long as they washed thoroughly and their gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

BFAR is expected to conduct another test on shellfish and issue another advisory before New Year’s day.