Press Releases
|
Red tide sighting in Hong Kong waters An inter-departmental red tide working group today (Friday) reported a red tide sighting within Hong Kong waters to keep the public well informed of the latest monitoring situation. A spokesman for the working group said a red tide formed by Mesodinium rubrum was observed at Clear Water Bay, Tai Long Wan, Rocky Harbour and Port Shelter on November 24 by staff of Government Flying Service and the Regional Services Department. Red tide was also observed at seas off Southern Lantau near Soko Islands and at the southern waters of Hong Kong Island on November 25. However, the spokesman noted that the red tide began to dissipate yesterday (Thursday). The red tide species is non-toxic. "The species has been sighted in Hong Kong waters before but led to no associated fish kill," he said. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) has alerted mariculturists in Sai Kung area and reminded them to take all necessary precautionary measures. The spokesman said only the Tai Tau Chau fish culture zone in Sai Kung was in the vicinity of the red tide areas. "The high concentration of the red tide led to a discolouration of water but mariculturists confirmed that fishes in the fish culture zone are normal," he said. Only a gazetted beach was affected by the red tide. Red flag was hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach on November 24, reminding the public that it was not suitable for swimming. The red flag was lowered the next day when the red tide dissipated. The spokesman said red tide was a natural phenomenon and AFD's pro-active and comprehensive phytoplankton monitoring programme would continue monitoring red tide occurrence to minimise its impact on mariculture industry. |
||
 |
||
|
||
|
