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Five red tides were sighted in Hong Kong waters during the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 4).
The first sighting was reported by Leisure and Cultural Services Department staff at Hap Mun Bay Beach on February 25. The red flag was hoisted until the red tide dissipated yesterday.
Marine Department staff spotted a red tide at Tung Chung near Caribbean Coast on February 28. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and Environmental Protection Department staff also saw red tides at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and Lok Wo Sha, Ma On Shan respectively on March 1. All three red tides dissipated today.
A member of the public sighted a red tide at Tolo Harbour near Yuen Chau Tsai on February 27. The red tide still persists.
No associated death of fish has been reported in these occurrences so far.
"The red tides at Hap Mun Bay Beach and Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park were formed by Akashiwo sanguinea while the other occurrences were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. Both species are common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The AFCD has urged mariculturists at Leung Shuen Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Kai Lung Wan, Kau Sai, Ma Nam Wat, Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au, Tap Mun, Kau Lau Wan and Sham Wan to monitor the situation closely.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The 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, March 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:31
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