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Red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 21).
Leisure and Cultural Services Department staff observed red tides at South Bay Beach, Chung Hom Kok Beach, Lo So Shing Beach, Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Middle Bay Beach and Tong Fuk Beach between April 16 and 18. Red flags were hoisted at these beaches until the red tides dissipated.
All the red tides dissipated by April 19. No associated death of fish has been reported.
"The red tides were all 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) urged mariculturists at Po Toi, Sok Kwu Wan and Lo Tik 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/Thursday, April 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:02
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