BFAR lifts shellfish ban in Bataan

By Jose Mari Garcia

Thursday 28th of June 2012

CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan, June 28 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Central Luzon has lifted the shellfish ban in the province after it turned negative from red tide testing.

BFAR-3 director Remedios Ongtangco said in a letter distributed to the public that gathering and eating shellfishes like mussel (tahong) and sunset shell (sulib) harvested from Bataan waters are now allowed.

“The public is hereby informed that shellfishes harvested from coastal waters in Bataan are now safe for human consumption,” said Ongtangco.

Based on the results of the red tide monitoring of BFAR and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist-Bataan, negative results for paralytic shellfish poisoning were obtained from three consecutive weeks of water sampling in the municipalities of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga City, Orani, Abucay and Samal.

Provincial Fishery Officer Danilo Abrera called for intensified coordination among the municipalities in sending water samples from their coasts for the weekly red tide testing.

“The public must be aware of news and announcements. Always heed the call of the government,” added Abrera. (CLJD/JMG-PIA3)