Red tide alert still up in western Pangasinan towns

 

DAGUPAN CITY -Red tide alert is still up in the coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan, according to the latest advisory from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

 

In a bulletin issued last December 18, BFAR-1 Regional Director Nestor Domenden said shellfish samples collected from these areas were found still positive for red tide toxin.

 

As a precautionary measure, Domenden urged local government units to require market inspectors, quarantine officers and administrators to demand for auxiliary invoice or clearance for domestic fish movement from transporters and dealers of fish and seashells that are unloaded from other provinces and municipalities to ensure that these did not come from areas where red tide exists.

 

Domenden advised the consuming public not to eat shellfish and alamang gathered and harvested from red tide-positive areas in Pangasinan until further notice.

 

However, he said fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

 

Coastal waters of Sual, Pangasinan remain free from toxic red tide. (PIA-1, Pangasinan)