Press Releases
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Red tide sightings reported An inter-departmental red tide working group today (Friday) reported four red tide sightings within Hong Kong waters to keep the public well informed of the latest monitoring situation. A spokesman for the working group said a red tide formed by Prorocentrum dentatum and Prorocentrum minimum was observed along Shing Mun River by staff of the Environmental Protection Department last Friday (January 7) and the red tide began to dissipate on January 13. On January 11, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department reported a red tide sighting at Tung Wan Beach, Cheung Chau. The red tide was formed by Mesodinium rubrum. On January 12, red tides formed by the same species, Mesodinium rubrum, were also observed at waters off South Lantau and Deep Water Bay by staff of the Government Flying Service and Ocean Park respectively. Red tides sighted off Cheung Chau dissipated the next day while the one found off South Lantau began to dissipate on January 13. However, the red tide sighted at Deep Water Bay still persisted. The red tide species, Prorocentrum dentatum, Prorocentrum minimum and Mesodinium rubrum, are all non-toxic. "They have been sighted in Hong Kong waters before but led to no associated fish kill," the spokesman said. No fish culture zones were affected by the red tides. The spokesman said red tide was a natural phenomenon and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's pro-active and comprehensive phytoplankton monitoring programme would continue monitoring red tide occurrence to minimise its impact on mariculture industry. |
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