The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has asked consumers to stop buying and eating shellfish harvested from the Wawa River in Bani town, after tests showed that these were positive for harmful microorganisms. Nestor Domenden, the regional director of the BFAR, said the river water did not show discoloration normally associated with red tide but their tests showed there was increased algal bloom in the area. A BFAR advisory, issued on April 22, warned against the gathering or harvesting, transporting and marketing shellfish, shrimp, crabs and oysters from the area until the river’s toxicity level goes down below the allowable limit.

Sotelo, Y. (2010, April 27). Shellfish alert raised in Pangasinan town. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A18.