Press Releases

Red tides sighted
Friday, January 28, 2005

Four red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters in the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (January 28).

Leisure and Cultural Services Department staff observed a red tide at Trio Beach on January 23 and another one at Silverstrand Beach on January 26. The red tides still persist. Red flags have been hoisted at the two beaches since January 23 and 26 respectively.

The two other sightings were at Tolo Harbour near Yuen Chau Tsai and at Shuen Wan Hoi near Sha Lan on January 25. The Tolo Harbour red tide dissipated the following day while the one at Shuen Wan Hoi still persists.

"All four red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. The species is common in Hong Kong and non-toxic," 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.