Press Releases

Red tide sighted
Friday, January 30, 2004

A red tide was sighted in Hong Kong waters in the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (January 30).

Fishermen at the Sha Tau Kok Fish Culture Zone observed a red tide at the zone on January 26. The red tide still persists.

"The red tide is formed by Heterocapsa circularisquama. The species is common in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic to fish," a spokesman for the working group said.

Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry.