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Two red tides had been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 18).
Environmental Protection Department staff sighted a red tide at Shing Mun River on March 11. The other occurrence at Tung Ping Chau Marine Park was reported by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) staff on March 13. Both red tides dissipated yesterday.
No associated death of fish have been reported in the two occurrences.
"Both red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The AFCD has urged mariculturists at Sha Tau Kok, Ap Chau, Kat O, O Pui Tong and Sai Lau Kong 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 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:07
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