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A red tide was observed by staff of the Civil Engineering Department at Shing Mun River on July 14, an inter-departmental red tide working group said today (July 18).

The red tide was formed by Cyclotella caspia and Thalassiosira proschkinae. They are relatively rare in Hong Kong waters and are non-toxic. The red tide still persisted today.

Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme would continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry.

End/Friday, July 18, 2003

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