Press Releases

Two red tides had been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 27).

Leisure and Cultural Services Department staff observed a red tide at Silver Mine Bay Beach on March 23. A red flag was hoisted immediately. The working group announced the next day that the red tide was confirmed to be formed by toxic Karenia digitata. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) immediately alerted mariculturists of all fish culture zones to the red tide and urged them to monitor the situation closely.

"The toxic red tide still persists. AFCD has reminded mariculturists again to stay alert and will continue to closely monitor the situation," a spokesman for the working group said.

Separately, a mariculturist observed another red tide at Clear Water Bay on March 25. It dissipated yesterday.

No associated death of fish was reported in the two occurrences.

"The occurrence at Clear Water Bay was formed by Gonyaulax polygramma, which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic. Mariculturists at Po Toi O and Tung Lung Chau Culture Zones nearby should monitor the situation closely," the spokesman said.

Red tide is a natural phenomenon. 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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