2019/01/17
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Red tides sighted
Friday, March 9, 2018

Three red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 9).

All red tides were spotted by staff of the Environmental Protection Department on March 5 at South Bay Beach, Chung Hom Kok Beach and Deep Water Bay Beach on Hong Kong Island.

All red tides have dissipated. No associated death of fish has been reported.

A spokesman for the working group said, "All of the red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters."

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Po Toi fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

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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