Press Releases

Seven red tides were sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (July 30).

Staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted six red tides at Golden Beach, Cafeteria New Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Butterfly Beach and Castle Peak Beach in Tuen Mun respectively today. Staff of the Marine Department spotted the seventh red tide at Castle Peak Bay today as well. All seven red tides still persist and no associated fish deaths have been reported as at today.

A spokesman for the working group said, "All seven red tides were formed by Polykrikos geminatum, which is not common in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Wan 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 local mariculture industry and the public.

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