Red tide sighted
Monday, February 3, 2006
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
3).
The occurrence was reported by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services
Department at Silverstrand Beach on February 1. Red flag was hoisted at
the beach. The red tide dissipated the following day.
"The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans. This is common
in Hong Kong waters and 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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