September 12, 2001
Dear Shellfish Vendor:
Based on the results of red tide monitoring activities of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Provincial Agriculture Office of Bataan, shellfish collected from Bataan Coastal Waters (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal) are now negative for the red tide toxin. Negative results for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) were obtained from three (3) consecutive weeks of sampling in the areas.
Therefore, the public hereby informed that shellfish harvested from Bataan coastal waters (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal) in Western Samar are now safe for human consumption. Likewise, gathering and/or harvesting, and marketing shellfish harvested from the above-mentioned are area now permitted.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Provincial Agriculture Office of Bataan are continuously monitoring Bataan coastal waters to safeguard public health and to protect shellfish industry.
Drusila Esther Bayate
Officer-In-Charge
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources