PANGASINAN -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources announced Wednesday, April 7, that coastal waters of Bolinao are positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or red tide toxin.

BFAR-Regional Fisheries Laboratory Division (Marine Biotoxin Laboratory) confirmed the condition after the shellfish sample collected at coastal water of Bolinao is positive of red tide toxin. PSP toxin level in shellfish samples in the said area is 249 Hg STX/100g shellfish meat.
BFAR is advising the public to refrain from eating, gathering or harvesting, transporting and marketing all types of shellfish and acetes, specially ‘alamang’ gathered at the coastal water of Bolinao until such time that the shellfish toxicity level reaches the regulatory or allowable limit of 60 ng STX/100g shellfish meat.
BFAR however clarified that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs harvested from the said area 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.
The BFAR RFO assured to continue monitoring coastal water of Bolinao to safeguard public health and to protect the fishery industry.