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A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 1).
The occurrence at Ma Wan reported by Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department staff on May 31 still persists.
"The red tide was formed by Cochlodinium sp., which is rare in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The department has urged mariculturists at Ma Wan and Cheung Sha Wan Fish Culture Zones to monitor the situation closely.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Ends/Friday, June 1, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:36
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