Press Releases
Red tides sighted
Friday, November 23, 2007
Two red tides had been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (November 23).
Staff of the Environmental Protection Department observed a red tide at Shing Mun River on November 16. It dissipated on November 20.
The other occurrence at Port Shelter near the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology was reported by an university staff on November 16. The red tide still persists.
No fish kill has been reported in the two occurrences.
"The red tide at Shing Mun River was formed by Scrippsiella trochoidea while the one at Port Shelter was formed by Mesodinium rubrum. Red tides formed by these two species are common in Hong Kong waters and they are non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has urged mariculturists at Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai Chau and Kai Lung Wan Fish Culture Zones to monitor the situation closely.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Ends