Press Releases
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Red tides sighted Four red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters in the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 18). Staff of the Environmental Protection Department observed a red tide at the south of Lantau Island on June 11 and staff of the Government Flying Service and the public observed one at Tai Long Wan and Po Pin Chau on June 16. Both red tides dissipated the following day. Leisure and Cultural Services Department staff saw one at Shek O Beach on June 16 and another one at Turtle Cove Beach this morning. Red flag was hoisted at the two beaches respectively. The red tide at Shek O Beach dissipated the following day. The red tide at the south of Lantau Island was formed by Chaetoceros socialis which is seldom found in Hong Kong waters and it is non-toxic. "The other red tides observed were formed by Trichodesmium erythraeum which is also seldom found in Hong Kong waters. Though itching and burning upon skin contact were reported elsewhere, this kind of reaction has not been recorded in Hong Kong," 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 and the public.
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