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Two red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 20).
The red tides were spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Stanley Main Beach, Hong Kong Island and Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Sai Kung, on March 16.
The red tides have already dissipated and no associated death of fish has been reported.
"Both 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 Po Toi O and Tung Lung 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, March 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:22
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