Press Releases

A number of red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 1). 

On March 29, two red tides were sighted at Silver Mine Bay Beach, Lantau Island, and Tolo Harbour to Long Harbour (including Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai East, Tap Mun, Kau Lau Wan and Sham Wan fish culture zones). 

On March 31, seven red tides were observed. The locations are Clear Water Bay Second Beach and Clear Water Bay to Tung Lung Chau (including Tung Lung Chau Fish Culture Zone) in Sai Kung, and Turtle Cove Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach, South Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, and Deep Water Bay to Tai Tam Bay on Hong Kong Island. 

Another ten red tides were sighted at Tong Fuk Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Upper Cheung Sha Beach and Pui O Beach on Lantau Island, Stanley Main Beach, Middle Bay Beach, Chung Hom Kok Beach and Shek O Beach on Hong Kong Island, Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung and Sheung Sze Mun to Ninepin Group today.

All red tides still persist. No associated death of fish has been reported. 

A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tides reported at Silver Mine Bay Beach, Tolo Harbour to Long Harbour, Tong Fuk Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Upper Cheung Sha Beach were formed by Akashiwo sanguinea. The red tide at Pui O Beach was formed by Akashiwo sanguinea and Noctiluca scintillans. The red tides at the other locations were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. Akashiwo sanguinea and Noctiluca scintillans are commonly found in Hong Kong waters, which are non-toxic."
   
The non-toxic red tides at Starling Inlet to Double Haven and in the waters of Sai Kung reported earlier 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 the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

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