9 coastal towns in Bataan now safe from red tide, says BFAR
OLONGAPO CITY––The coastal waters of nine localities in Bataan province have been declared negative for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or red tide toxin based on the recent sampling by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
In an advisory on Wednesday, March 2, BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona said shellfish samples harvested from the coastal waters of the towns of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay, and Samal, and the City of Balanga are now safe for human consumption.
Gongona said gathering or harvesting shellfish from these areas are now allowed.
It was in November and December last year when BFAR announced that the coastal waters in these nine localities remained positive for red tide toxin.
Red tide toxin refers to algal blooms where the water is discolored by a high concentration of toxic and nontoxic algae.
BFAR has been conducting regular monitoring in Bataan by gathering samples from coastal towns to determine the presence of toxic microorganisms that cause PSP.
