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The red tide reported on May 31 in Ma Wan had spread over Hong Kong waters, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 8).
The occurrence at Ma Wan reported by Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department staff on May 31 still persists, and has spread to some beaches and fish culture zones. Several red tide reports were received, from June 4 to 7, by Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Environmental Protection Department, Water Services Department and Marine Police. Beaches including Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, Middle Bay, South Bay, Chung Hom Kok, Hung Sing Yeh Beach, St Stephen's Bay, Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach and beaches around Tuen Mun are affected. Fish culture zones including Ma Wan, Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Tung Lung Chau are affected. Others include Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island, East Lamma Channel, Quarry Bay Water Front, West Kowloon Water Front, North of Lautau Island, Victoria Harbour and Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter.
Marine Police today reported a red tide at Lung Kwu Tan.
"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 to monitor the situation closely. No fish kills have been reported.
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.
The department has communicated with the Guangdong Ocean and Fisheries Environment Monitoring Centre regarding the recent red tide occurrences in Hong Kong and its adjacent waters.
Ends/Friday, June 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:10
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