Press Releases
Red tides sighted
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Two red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 2).
The first red tide was spotted by staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in waters off Fa Shan near Po Pin Chau, Sai Kung, on March 29. Another one was sighted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Sai Kung, on March 31. The red flag was hoisted at the beach immediately.
The red tide at Fa Shan near Po Pin Chau dissipated while the other case at Clear Water Bay still persists. No associated death of fish has been reported.
"Both 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.
The AFCD urged mariculturists at Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Leung Shuen Wan, Tiu Cham Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Po Toi O and Tung Lung Chau fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD'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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