Red tide alert up in Bataan 

Bataan. INQUIRER FILES

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Central Luzon office in this city issued on Wednesday, July 17, a warning about the presence of gymnodinium catenatum, the microorganism that causes red tide and paralytic shellfish poison, along Bataan’s coastal waters.

Laboratory examination of seawater samples collected from the coastal waters of Balanga City and the towns of Orani, Hermosa, Limay, Mariveles, Orion, Pilar, Samal, and Abucay tested positive for gymnodinium catenatum, the BFAR Central Luzon said in a statement.

“To safeguard human lives, we are issuing this warning as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes spp.x locally known as alamang from (the identified localities of) Bataan to avoid possible shellfish poisoning,” it said.

The regional agency said fish, squid, crab, and shrimp are still safe to eat if they are fresh, washed thoroughly, and all entrails removed.

The BFAR Central Luzon said it would continue to monitor Bataan’s coastal waters in coordination with local governments in the affected areas.

High concentrations of gymnodinium catenatum usually produce toxic red tides, or the turning of sea water into a reddish color.

Eating shellfish positive for gymnodinium catenatum can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, which results in severe illness or even death. INQ