Press Releases

Red tide sighted
Friday, January 27, 2006

Three red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters in the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (January 27).

The occurrences were reported by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, at Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay on January 25, and at Silver Mine Bay Beach on January 26. Red flags were hoisted at the beaches. The red tide at Repulse Bay dissipated on January 26 while the other two still persist.

"They were formed by Phaeocystis globosa. Red tide formed by this species is less common in Hong Kong waters and it is non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.

Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (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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