BFAR lifts shellfish ban in 8 areas of Bataan

After more than a month, the ban on gathering and eating shellfish in eight towns in Bataan province was lifted this week by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Radio dzBB's Rowena Salvacion on Thursday reported the lifting allowed the gathering, selling and eating of shellfish in the towns of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Balanga, Pilar, Orani, Abucay, and Samal. The report said local fishermen expressed relief over the development because the ban had disrupted their livelihood. The BFAR lifted the ban after receiving a report that Bataan's coastal waters are already free of the red tide toxin.

It said tahong (mussels) and talaba (oysters) are now safe to eat. The dzBB report quoted the BFAR as saying the state of calamity imposed on Samal due to the red tide threat will now be lifted. Provincial authorities, however, will still provide assistance to fishermen affected by the ban. — LBG, GMANews.TV