Red tide still detected in 9 coastal localities of Bataan

OLONGAPO CITY––The coastal waters of nine localities in Bataan province remained positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide based on the latest laboratory results of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

According to BFAR, residents in Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay, and Samal towns, and the City of Balanga must refrain from gathering or eating shellfish from the coastal waters.

The agency said the red tide in these areas is still beyond the regulatory limit.

Red tide refers to the harmful algal blooms causing water discoloration due to a high concentration of toxic and nontoxic algae.

“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas … are not safe for human consumption,” BFAR said in a Dec. 29 advisory.

But it said fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption, provided these are fresh and washed thoroughly before cooking.

BFAR has been regularly monitoring and taking samples from these coastal towns to determine the presence of toxic microorganisms that cause PSP.

In the same advisory, BFAR said the coastal waters of Pampanga and Masinloc Bay in Zambales continued to be free of red tide.

lzb