PANGASINAN folk are advised to refrain from harvesting or gathering, transporting, marketing and eating shellfish from the coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda, Pangasinan as the two areas are now found positive of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) caused by red tide organisms.

Shellfish advisory no. 01-06 and shellfish bulletin no. 076 both dated April 13, 2006 of the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, regional offices, called on the public to avoid eating shellfish for the duration of the ban.

In Dagupan City, Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, directed the city agriculture office to strictly monitor the public markets of Dagupan.

“Fishes harvested from the said areas are however safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking,” the advisory said.

The BFAR latest bulletin came just several days after the same bureau had declared the areas in Bolinao Anda and Bank still free from he red tide phenomenon.

Other areas still positive of the red tide toxin (PSP toxins) and red tide toxic organisms and still under shellfish ban include: coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Dumaquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Balite Bay in Bati, Davao Oriental; Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon; Irong-irong Bay in Samar; and Lianga Bay in Barobo and Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.