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A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 17).
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) staff observed a red tide at Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone on June 13. The red tide still persists. No associated death of fish has been reported so far.
"The red tide was formed by Takayama pulchella, which is common in Hong Kong waters. Overseas studies have shown that the species might cause adverse effects to fish but is harmless to the human body," a spokesman for the working group said.
The AFCD urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai East, Lo Fu Wat and Yung Shue Au 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, June 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:31
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