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A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters in the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (December 2).
The occurrence was reported by Government Flying Service staff at south of Lantau Island on November 28. It dissipated on November 30.
"The red tide was formed by Mesodinium rubrum. This is common in Hong Kong waters and the species is non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has urged mariculturists at Cheung Sha Wan Fish Culture Zone 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 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:06
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