*****************
Red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (October 26).
Marine Department staff sighted a red tide at Black Point, Tuen Mun and Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone on October 20. Another sighting at Tung Chung Bay, Lantau, was reported by a member of the public on October 24.
The red tide at Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone dissipated yesterday while the ones at Black Point and Tung Chung Bay still persist. No associated death of fish has been reported by mariculturists so far.
"The red tides were formed by Protopolykrikos distortus, which is non-toxic and seldom blooms in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Wan and Cheung Sha 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/Friday, October 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:00
NNNN
