2019/01/17
Skip to content

Press Releases

Red tide sighted
Friday, May 4, 2018

A red tide has been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (May 4).
 
The red tide was spotted by staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) at Lo Fu Wat fish culture zone on May 1.
 
The red tide still persists and no associated death of fish has been reported.
 
A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Scrippsiella trochoidea and Takayama tuberculata. While Scrippsiella trochoidea is commonly found in Hong Kong waters, Takayama tuberculata is not common in Hong Kong waters. Both are non-toxic."
 
The AFCD urged mariculturists at Lo Fu Wat fish culture zone 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.

Ends