Press Releases

Seven red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 11).

The red tides were spotted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung, Silver Mine Bay Beach and from Discovery Bay to Silver Mine Bay on Lantau, Kwun Yam Beach and Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach on Cheung Chau, Golden Beach in Tuen Mun and Central Pier.

The red tide at Silver Mine Bay Beach has already dissipated while the others still persist. No associated death of fish has been reported so far.

"All the red tides were formed by Akashiwo sanguinea which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.

The non-toxic red tides reported earlier at Wong Chuk Kok Hoi to O Pui Tong, Starling Inlet to Double Haven, Sham Wan fish culture zone, Sai Kung and the southern waters still persist.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (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.

Ends