Bataan Towns Under Shellfish Ban

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) issued a shellfish ban in seven towns here after a woman died while four others are in critical condition for shellfish poisoning. BFAR red tide monitoring placed the following areas under shellfish ban: Balanga City, Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Abucay, Samal and Orani. The agency said the areas “are now positive for the red tide toxin.” Melinda Lucio (71) from the fishing village of Tabing-Ilog in Samal town died eating sunset shells (sulib). The victim’s husband Ramundo and grandson Bryan Lucio were hospitalized. Two others from the village, Remedios dela Cruz and Dexter Esconde, complained of vomiting, stomach ache and numbness of lips after eating "sulib".