BFAR lifts shellfish ban

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Shellfish collected in all coastal areas in the country are now free of red tide toxins, based on the results of the latest laboratory analysis of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and local government units.

BFAR also lifted the shellfish ban in coastal waters of  Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal issued last October.

Shellfish Bulletin 05 series of 2015 dated Feb. 21 signed by BFAR Director Asis Perez said the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas and Bulacan in Manila Bay; Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Honda and Puerto Bays in Puerto Princesa City and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; Batan Bay in Aklan; and E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City, Binalbagan and San Enrique in Negros Occidental are free from red tide.

The coastal waters in Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Iloilo, Leyte, Biliran, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Camiguin Island were also declared red-tide free. – Eva Visperas, Ding Cervantes