BFAR RAISES RED TIDE ALERT IN 2 PANGASINAN TOWNS

April 12, 2025 Provincial

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has warned the public from eating shellfish products from two coastal towns due to red tide. In a letter, BFAR Regional Director Rosario Segundina P. Gaerlan told Gov. Ramon V. Guico III that laboratory analysis conducted by the agency proved sea water coming from Anda and Bolinao towns are positive for red tide toxin. “As a precautionary measure, concerned LGUs (Local Government Unit) are advised to require their market inspectors, quarantine officers and administrators to demand traders for ‘Auxilliary Invoice’ from the point of origin or Local Transport Permit issued by BFAR for all fish and fishery products including seashells unloaded and marketer to ensure that it did not come from areas positive of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP),” the
letter stated.

The BFAR posted the red tide advisory last Thursday wherein it cautioned the public from gathering, selling and eating all types of
shellfish as well as ‘alamang’ coming from the affected areas to avoid possible paralytic shellfish poisoning. It added that fish, squid, crab and shrimps are, however, safe to eat provided that they are fresh, the nostrils removed, and washed thoroughly with running water before cooking. Red tide is caused by rapid increase in microscopic algae (dinoflagellates) often triggered by warm temperatures, high nutrient levels, changes in water salinity and pollution.

Pigeon Lobien/ABN