Red tide in Bataan, Zambales not dissipating

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – The red tide plague affecting the coastal waters of Bataan and Zambales is now on its sixth month and has shown no signs of dissipating.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) yesterday reiterated its warning that shellfish in the affected areas should not be harvested and eaten as they could cause paralytic shellfish poisoning.

This ban remains in effect in the towns of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Abucay, Samal and Orani and Balanga City in Bataan, and Masinloc Bay in Zambales, said BFAR regional information officer Lanie Lamyong.

Lamyong said the latest laboratory results showed that the current red tide toxin level in shellfish samples collected from the coastal waters of Bataan and Masinloc Bay “are still significantly higher than the tolerable limit of 60 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish meat.”

She said fish, squids, shrimps and crabs harvested from these areas are safe to eat, as long as these are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines removed before cooking.

Earlier, the BFAR declared the coastal waters of Alaminos City and two western Pangasinan towns free of red tide.