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A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 8).
The red tide, which was spotted by a member of the public at the Rambler Channel near Hoi Hing Road on February 5, dissipated today. No associated death of fish has been reported by mariculturists so far.
"The red tide was 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 Ma Wan and Cheung Sha Wan Fish Culture Zones 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 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:31
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