Press Releases

A red tide was sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 23).

The red tide was spotted by a member of the public and a mariculturist at Tolo Harbour, including the Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone today. The red tide persists and no associated fish deaths have been reported as at today.

A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans and Karenia longicanalis. The former is common in Hong Kong waters while the latter is not. Both algae are non-toxic."

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at the fish culture zones of Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat 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