Press Releases

Red tide sightings reported
Friday, June 22, 2001

An inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 22) three red tide sightings within Hong Kong waters to keep the public informed of the latest monitoring situation.

All three cases were observed by staff of the Environmental Protection Department.

A spokesman for the working group said a red tide was observed on June 15 at Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po. It had affected the Yim Tin Tsai fish culture zone on June 18.

The red tide was formed by species of Chaetoceros. It had been sighted in Hong Kong waters before and was non-toxic. The red tide dissipated on June 20.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) had reminded mariculturists of the Yim Tin Tsai fish culture zone on the possibility of oxygen depletion in the water. No associated fish kill was reported.

Another red tide was observed at the Victoria Harbour on June 18. It had dissipated yesterday (June 21). Moreover, a red tide was observed yesterday at southern waters of Lamma Island.

These two red tides were formed by Thalassiosira nordenskioldii and Skeletonema costatum. The two species had been sighted in Hong Kong waters before and were non-toxic.

The spokesman said red tide was a natural phenomenon. AFCD's pro-active and comprehensive phytoplankton monitoring programme would continue monitoring red tide occurrence to minimise its impact on the mariculture industry.