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A red tide was sighted in Hong Kong waters yesterday (December 12), an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (December 13).
The red tide was sighted by a mariculturist at Yung Shue Au fish culture zone.
The red tide still persists and no associated death of fish has been reported so far.
"The red tide was formed by Phaeocystis globosa, which is non-toxic and seldom found in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai East, Lo Fu Wat and Yung Shue Au 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, December 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:00
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