The City Agriculture Office (CAO) has temporarily banned the harvesting, sale, transport, and consumption of shellfish and alamang from parts of Puerto Princesa Bay after high levels of a red tide-causing organism were detected in the area.
In Local Shellfish Advisory No. 1-2026 the City Information Office (CIO) posted Thursday night, the CAO said monitoring found elevated concentrations of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, the organism responsible for harmful algal blooms (HAB), commonly known as red tide.
The advisory covers the coastal areas of Barangays Bancao-Bancao, Bagong Sikat, Bagong Silang, Pagkakaisa, Mabuhay, Liwanag, Bagong Pag-asa, San Isidro, Matahimik, Mandaragat, San Pedro, Tiniguiban, Sta. Monica, Sicsican, Irawan, Iwahig, Sta. Lucia, Luzviminda, and Mangingisda.
CAO said the advisory will remain in effect while the city awaits the results of laboratory testing by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The office clarified that fish, squid, shrimp, crabs, and other aquatic species caught from the affected areas remain safe to eat, provided they are fresh, properly cleaned, and thoroughly cooked.
As an added precaution, the public is advised to remove and discard the gills, intestines, and other internal organs of these aquatic species before cooking.
The CAO urged residents to strictly follow the advisory to avoid the risk of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).
The temporary ban will remain in effect until the concerned government agencies issue a new advisory declaring that shellfish and alamang from the affected areas are safe for consumption once again.
