Press Releases
Red tides sighted
Friday, April 22, 2016
Three red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 22). Ends
The three red tides were sighted at Lo So Shing Beach on Lamma Island; O Pui Tong, including O Pui Tong Fish Culture Zone; and Sham Wan Fish Culture Zone on April 16 and 19 and today respectively.
The red tide at Lo So Shing Beach has dissipated while the other two red tides still persist. No associated death of fish has been reported.
A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tides at Lo So Shing Beach and Sham Wan Fish Culture Zone were formed by Noctiluca scintillans whereas the one at O Pui Tong was formed by Akashiwo sanguinea. Noctiluca scintillans and Akashiwo sanguinea are non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters."
The non-toxic red tide at Wong Mau Chau to Po Pin Chau waters, Sai Kung reported earlier still persists.
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.