Red tide warning up in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — The public has been advised to refrain from consuming all types of shellfish harvested from the coastal waters of Bolinao in Pangasinan due to the presence of algae that produces the red tide toxin.

In a letter issued on April 14, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the harvest, transport and sale of shellfish including Acetes sp. derived from the area were prohibited.

“The public is advised to refrain from harvesting, transporting, marketing and consuming all types of shellfish gathered in the area until such time that the toxicity level has gone down below the regulatory limit,” the BFAR said.

BFAR regional director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan said that the bureau’s Harmful Algal Bloom monitoring report showed the toxin level of the water in the area was higher than the allowed limit.