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Three red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (December 19).
The first two red tides were spotted by members of the public at To Kwa Peng and Chek Keng, Sai Kung, respectively on December 13. The other red tide was sighted by a member of the public at Port Shelter, Sai Kung, on December 15.
The red tides have already dissipated. No associated death of fish has been reported in these occurrences so far.
"All the red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Tap Mun, Kau Lau Wan, Sham Wan, Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Leung Shuen Wan, Tiu Cham Wan and Tai Tau Chau 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 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:01
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