Pangasinan waters red tide-free

By Rogelio P. Mamaril III

DAGUPAN CITY -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Ilocos said shellfishes from coastal waters in western Pangasinan proved negative for red tide toxins.

Shellfish Advisories No. 16 and 17 dated Sept. 2 said all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. or alamang in samples collected from the city and municipal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bani, Bolinao and Sual are free from toxic red tide and safe for human consumption.

As a precautionary measure, however, BFAR officer-in-charge regional director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan advised the concerned local government units to require their market inspector, quarantine officers and/or administrators to demand traders for auxiliary invoice or local transport permit issued by the LGU from the point of origin.

BFAR has issued permits for all fish and fishery products including seaweeds and seashells unloaded and marketed to ensure that it did not come from areas positive of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).

The bureau, in collaboration with different LGUs, said it is continuously monitoring areas to safeguard public health and protect the fishery industry. -- PIA Pangasinan