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A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 6).
Leisure and Cultural Services Department staff observed a red tide at Lo So Shing Beach, Lamma Island, on May 31. The red flag was hoisted at the beach until June 1 when the red tide dissipated. No fish kill has been reported.
¡§The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic,¡¨ a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan and Sok Kwu 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/Friday, June 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:01
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