Press Releases
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Red tides sighted Six red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters in the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (May 6). Staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) observed a red tide at Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone on April 29. The red tide dissipated on May 1. On May 2, staff of Leisure and Cultural Services Department and marine police observed a red tide in waters near Lamma Island and Po Toi Island. The red tide dissipated on May 4. Red flags were hoisted at Hung Shing Ye Beach and Lo So Shing Beach on Lamma Island. Also on May 2, another occurrence at Castle Peak Bay was reported by mariculturists. The red tide dissipated the following day. On May 3, staff of the Civil Engineering and Development Department observed a red tide at Shing Mun River. The red tide dissipated on May 5. Staff of the Environmental Protection Department saw a red tide at Shing Mun River on May 4 and another one at Stanley Bay on May 5. Both red tides dissipated on May 6. "The red tide at Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone and the red tide at Shing Mun River observed on May 4 were formed by Heterosigma akashiwo while the one at Shing Mun River on May 3 was formed by Prorocentrum dentatum. The other three red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. Red tide formed by Prorocentrum dentatum is less common in Hong Kong waters while the other two species are common. All these species are non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said. AFCD has urged mariculturists in the Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone to monitor the situation closely. 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 and the public.
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