The public is advised to refrain from harvesting or gathering, transporting, marketing and eating shellfish from the coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda, Pangasinan as the two areas are found positive of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) caused by red tide organisms.

This is based on the shellfish advisory no. 01-06 and shellfish bulletin no. 07 both dated April 13, 2006 of the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional offices.

City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, thus, directed the city agriculture office to put in place strict monitoring system in the public markets of Dagupan.

“Fishes harvested from the said areas are however safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking,” the advisory said.

Other areas still positive of the red tide toxin (PSP toxins) and red tide toxic organisms thus are still under SHELLFISH BAN include: coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Balite Bay in Bati, Davao Oriental; Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon; Irong-irong Bay in Samar; and Lianga Bay in Barobo and Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

The following areas, on the other hand, continue to be free from toxic red tides: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; coastal water of Bani in Pangasinan; coastal waters of Masinloc and Palauig in Zambales; coastal waters of Mandaon, Masbate; Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon City and Casiguran in Sorsogon Province; Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; coastal waters of Bacolod City, Victorias City, Silay City; Valladolid, San Enrique, E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Cadiz City, Talisay City and Hinigiran in Negros Occidental; Biliran waters in Biliran Province; Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City; Carigara and Ormoc Bays in Leyte, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar, Taguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island. (Sunshine D. Robles)