Red tide alert still on in Bataan coastal waters

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – Red tide has plagued the coastal waters of Bataan for six months now and is showing no signs of waning.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) yesterday issued another appeal to the public to refrain from gathering and eating shellfish from one city and seven towns of Bataan.

“Red tide toxin, which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning remains present in these areas,” said Lanie Lamyong, information officer of the BFAR regional office.

Affected by the red tide alert are Balanga City and the towns of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Abucay, Samal, and Orani, she said.

“Based on the latest shellfish studies, the current red tide toxin level in shellfish samples collected from the coastal waters of Bataan is still significantly higher than the 60 grams per 200 grams tolerable limit,” Lamyong said.

Lamyong though said fish harvested from the coastal waters of Bataan are safe to eat as long as they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines removed before cooking.

In the same advisory, BFAR said the coastal waters of Alaminos City and Bolinao, Anda, Sual, and Bani towns in Pangasinan remain red tide-free. 

Also declared red tide-free are the waters of Manila Bay along Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas and Bulacan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; the coastal waters of 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;

The coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; the coastal waters of 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; Maqueda, Villareal, Irong-Irong and Cambatutay bays and the coastal waters of Calbayog City in Western Samar;

Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara bays in Leyte; the coastal waters of Biliran; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog, Camiguin Island; and Dumanquiles Bay in Zamboanga del Sur. – With Eva Visperas