The supply of shellfish at the Magsaysay Fish Market in Dagupan City has dropped sharply due to red tide restrictions, pushing prices higher and leaving only a few vendors selling mussels and oysters, traders said.

Vendors said deliveries of shellfish, mostly sourced from Bataan, have been limited since the start of February 2026. From previously receiving five to six sacks of mussels a day, sellers now consider themselves lucky to get three sacks.

Because of the shortage, shellfish prices have nearly doubled. Mussels now sell for P90 to P100 per kilo, up from P50 to P60, while oysters range from P100 to P120 per kilo, compared with the previous P70 to P80.

May Crespo, a trader, said the limited supply is linked directly to red tide conditions.

“Dahil sa red tide kasi kaya kaunti ang supply, kaunti ang supply ng mga dealer ngayon,” Crespo said.

Vangie Cayago, another trader, said procurement costs have also surged.

“Tumaas talaga siya. Dati P1,700 lang kuha namin isang sako, ngayon P2,500 na,” Cayago said.

BFAR ADVISORY

In its latest advisory issued on January 29, 2026, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said coastal waters in Anda and Bolinao remain positive for paralytic shellfish poisoning, or red tide toxin. Harvesting and selling shellfish from these areas remain strictly prohibited.

BFAR said it is working closely with local government units to monitor coastal areas and prevent banned shellfish from entering markets.

Martin Allayban, officer-in-charge of the BFAR Regional Fisheries Task Force for Coastal Development in Region 1, said enforcement efforts are holding.

“So far, walang lumalabas na shellfish mula Anda at Bolinao. ’Yun ang pinasasalamatan natin sa ating dalawang local government unit kasi pinaigting nila ang monitoring nila sa kanilang baybayin at sa kanilang mga traders,” Allayban said.

Authorities said monitoring will continue while red tide conditions persist, as vendors and consumers brace for sustained tight supply and elevated prices.