Photo courtesy of Celeste Anna Formoso/ Philippine News Agency (PNA)
The coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan again tested positive for red tide toxin, only days after authorities earlier declared the areas free from contamination.
In response, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region I issued a local advisory on Wednesday, warning the public not to gather, sell, or consume shellfish and alamang sourced from the affected waters.
The agency said it released the advisory ahead of the official shellfish bulletin to immediately alert consumers about the renewed presence of harmful algal bloom in the two coastal towns.
Laboratory results from recently collected shellfish samples confirmed the return of the toxin associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning, according to fisheries officials.
Authorities noted that fish, squid, crab, and shrimp remained safe to eat if they were fresh, properly cleaned with internal organs removed, and thoroughly washed before cooking.
Records showed that the waters of the two towns first yielded positive red tide results on Jan. 16 before later testing negative as of Feb. 19.
However, continued monitoring conducted by the bureau for public safety later verified that the toxic algal bloom had reappeared in the same areas.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon caused by the rapid multiplication of phytoplankton that can release toxins harmful to humans and marine life and may discolor coastal waters, often turning them reddish.
