Press Releases

Red tides sighted
Thursday, April 6, 2023

Four red tides have been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (April 6).

Staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted three red tides today at St. Stephen's Beach, Turtle Cove Beach and Repulse Bay Beach, Hong Kong Island, respectively. On the same day, staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) spotted a red tide at Leung Shuen Wan Fish Culture Zone. All four red tides persist and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."

The AFCD urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Po Toi, Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Leung Shuen Wan, Tiu Cham Wan and Po Toi O fish culture zones 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 to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

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