Press Releases
Red tides sighted
Friday, December 5, 2014
Four red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (December 5).
Staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted two red tides at Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach on November 28, and another one at Golden Beach, Tuen Mun, on November 30. Staff of the Marine Department also spotted one red tide at Silver Mine Bay, Lantau, on November 29.
All the red tides have already dissipated. No associated death of fish has been reported in these occurrences so far.
"All red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
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