BALANGA CITY – Less than two months after Bataan was declared free from the deadly red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources confirmed on Saturday the presence of the toxin and imposed the shellfish ban in the province, the provincial agriculture office announced on Tuesday.
“Nakakalungkot na apektado na naman ang negosyo pero wala tayong magagawa. Bawal ang gathering, pagkain at pagbebenta ng ano mang shellfish sa Bataan,” provincial agriculturist Imelda Inieto said.
She said that from sunset shell (sulib) and brown mussels taken from Manila Bay in Samal town, the samples were positive of the red tide toxin and no longer fit for human consumption. Aside from Samal, shellfish are gathered in the towns of Hermosa, Orani, Abucay, Pilar, Orion, Limay and Mariveles and the City of Balanga.
Included in the ban are acetes or alamang. Crabs, shrimps and fishes are safe for eating provided these are fresh and properly cleaned. The shellfish ban in Bataan was imposed November, 2013 and only lifted August, 2014.
