A research team from Ateneo de Manila University and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak has identified two harmful species of microalgae in shellfish farming areas of Luzon, Philippines. These species, Pseudo-nitzschia pungens and Pseudo-nitzschia brasiliana, produce a neurotoxin known as domoic acid, raising concerns for local fishing communities. The study emphasizes the need for monitoring these algal blooms, which can lead to serious health risks, including memory loss and potentially death, through the accumulation of toxins in seafood.