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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 (November 4).
Leisure and Cultural Services Department staff observed red tides at Deep Water Bay Beach and St. Stephen's Beach respectively on October 29. Red flags were hoisted immediately. On November 2, Marine Department staff spotted a red tide at Tai Tam Bay near Hairpin Beach.
The red tides at St. Stephen's Beach and Tai Tam Bay near Hairpin Beach have dissipated while the one at Deep Water Bay Beach still persists. No associated death of fish has been reported.
"All the red tides were formed by Phaeocystis globosa, which seldom occurs in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Po Toi 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, November 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:06
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