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Red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 24).
Environmental Protection Department staff sighted a red tide at Sha Tin Hoi on February 22, while a mariculturist spotted a red tide at Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone yesterday.
The red tides still persist. No associated death of fish has been reported by mariculturists so far.
"The 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 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat 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, February 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:03
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