ANGELES CITY — As if the African swine flu (ASF) on land is not enough, here comes red tide in the waters around Central Luzon.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said red tide toxins have been confirmed not only in the coastal waters in Pampanga, but also in Bataan and, farther north, in Pangasinan.
BFAR Shellfish Advisory 18 indicated that red tide toxins found in samples of shellfish gathered from the coastal waters of Pampanga definitely exceeded tolerable levels and are poisonous to humans.
Such levels of toxicity was also observed in shellfish samples from the coastal waters of Balanga City, and the towns of Mariveles, Orion, Limay, Pilar, Orani, Abucay, and Samal in Bataan.
BFAR said eating, gathering or harvesting, and marketing of shellfish and “alamang” from these areas have remained banned.
It said, however, that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
Farther north of Central Luzon, Pangasinan was also reported to be plagued with red tide. Toxic elements were found in shellfi sh from the waters of Baybay Norte and Cabalitian in Sual town, the BFAR said.
Red tide is a phenomenon in which the water is discolored by high algal biomass, or concentration of algae. Health experts said red tide toxin could cause gastrointestinal, respiratory and neurological disorders and even death in humans.
“Regular monitoring of the affected areas is being conducted by [the BFAR Ilocos] in collaboration with the local governments to safeguard public health and protect the fishery industry,” BFAR said.
Thankfully, no avian flu case has so far been reported in the Philippines.
