Press Releases

Three red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (January 11).

The first occurrence at Kei Ling Ha Hoi was reported by a member of the public on January 6. The red tide still persists.

The other two occurrences at Tolo Channel (from Yim Tin Tsai to Tap Mun) and O Pui Tong Fish Culture Zone were reported by staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on January 8. The former still persists while the latter dissipated today.

No fish kill has been reported in the three occurrences.

"The red tides at Kei Ling Ha Hoi and Tolo Channel were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is common in Hong Kong waters. The one at O Pui Tong Fish Culture Zone was formed by Prorocentrum dentatum, which is not common in Hong Kong waters. Red tides formed by these two species are non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.

AFCD has urged mariculturists at Yung Shue Au, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yim Tin Tsai, Tap Mun, Kau Lau Wan, Sham Wan, Lo Fu Wat, O Pui Tong and Kat O 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.

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