Press Releases

Red tide sighted
Friday, February 25, 2005

A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters in the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 25).

Staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) observed a red tide at Wong Shek Pier, Sai Kung, on February 23. The red tide dissipated the following day.

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

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 mariculture industry.