Press Releases
Red tide sighted
Friday, February 26, 2016
A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 26).
The red tide spotted by staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) at Tolo Channel on February 23 still persists and no associated death of fish has been reported.
"The red tide was formed by Akashiwo sanguinea, which is non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
The non-toxic red tides at Wong Chuk Kok Hoi to O Pui Tong, Starling Inlet to Double Haven, Rocky Harbour, Port Shelter and in the waters of Sai Kung reported earlier still persist.
The AFCD has stepped up monitoring of the fish culture zones in the close vicinity of the red tides. Mariculturists have been reminded 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 their impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
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