Pangasinan: Shellfish samples collected from the coastal towns of Anda and Bolinao in Pangasinan province have again tested positive for red tide toxin, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 1 (Ilocos Region) announced.

According to Philippines News Agency, this finding was based on testing of shellfish meat collected from the two towns. In an advisory, BFAR-1 advised the public to temporarily avoid collecting, selling, and consuming shellfish and Acetes from Bolinao and Anda while the official shellfish bulletin is awaited.

BFAR-1 assured that it is safe to consume fish, squid, crabs, and shrimp as long as they are fresh, with fish innards removed, and washed thoroughly before cooking. The shellfish samples from the two towns had previously tested positive for red tide toxin on January 15 and then tested negative on February 19.