Shellfish ban up in Bataan

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has imposed a shellfish ban in the whole province of Bataan due to red tide.

The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) said on Wednesday that based on a BFAR advisory the gathering, selling, transporting and eating of shellfish in the province are now temporarily prohibited.

The PAO said that from 54 milligrams Saxo-Toxin (STx) per 100 mg STx on Thursday last week, the toxin level of samples taken from shellfish in Orani town, rose to 265 mg STx per 100 mg STx.

The tolerable or normal level for shellfish to be safe for eating is 60 mg STx, it said.

Mayors in 11 towns and a city have been informed about the province-wide shellfish ban.

The PAO, meanwhile, assured that fresh fish, crabs and shrimps are safe to eat.

Residents of coastal communities in Orani, Samal, Abucay, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles and Balanga City have been harvesting mussels or tahong and other shellfish.

The PAO and BFAR and other concerned government offices are continuously monitoring the movement of the red tide in Bataan waters.