Pangasinan’s bagoong, alamang industries feeling pinch from red tide

Vendors of bagoong (shrimp paste) and alamang (krill) are starting to feel the pinch from the red tide threat in Alaminos in Pangasinan province.

 

Many vendors in other parts of Pangasinan such as Lingayen said people were wary the products they sold could be tainted by red tide toxins, GMA Dagupan's Joan Ponsoy reported.

 

"Tinatanong nila kung may red tide ang alamang. Wala rito sa amin doon, sa Alaminos siguro," said vendor Jelyn Bolazo.

 

Bolazo said she had to explain to customers that the products she sold were clear.

 

Another vendor, Helen de Vera, said sales had been slow – while her wares would be sold out in half a day, she now has trouble selling even half her supply for the day.

 

In the meantime, the municipal agriculture office said consumers who have doubts about where the shellfish being sold came from can ask for an auxiliary invoice. This should show where the vendor got his or her supplies from.

 

Last weekend, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources warned the public against catching and eating shellfish from Alaminos in Pangasinan due to the red tide threat.

 

BFAR authorities issued the warning after the waters there tested positive for red tide toxin.

 

Meanwhile, the BFAR's shellfish bulletin dated Sept. 24 also warned shellfish collected from the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison.

 

BFAR head Asis Perez said all types of shellfish gathered from Alaminos and Milagros are not safe for human consumption, but fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption "provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly," and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking. — Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News