Press Releases
Red tides sighted
Friday, April 10, 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 10).
Both red tides were spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Stanley Main Beach and Turtle Cove Beach, Hong Kong Island, on April 5. Red flags were hoisted at the beaches immediately.
The red tides have already dissipated. 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 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Po Toi 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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