2019/01/17
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Red tides sighted
Friday, July 28, 2017

Two red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (July 28).

Two red tides were spotted by a member of the public and staff of the Marine Department on July 21 in waters east of Lantau Island and in Victoria Harbour near the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade respectively.

The red tide in waters east of Lantau Island still persists while the other one dissipated. No associated death of fish has been reported.

A spokesman for the working group said, "Both red tides were formed by Thalassiosira pseudonana, which is non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters."

Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department'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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