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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 6) reminded fish farmers in all fish culture zones to keep a close watch on their fish culture zones and report any fish kills or irregularities in view of a recent spate of red tide occurrences in Hong Kong waters.
A department spokesman said the situation was being closely monitored, with reports of red tide hitting several beaches on Hong Kong Island south and Tuen Mun as well as fish culture zones in Ma Wan, Lo Tik Wan and Sok Kwu Wan over the past few days.
Laboratory tests found that it was the algae Cochlodinium sp. that formed red tides in those areas. The species is non-toxic and rare in local waters. Between 1997 and 2006, there were only two occurrences of this species and both were in western waters.
"Though no fish kills have been reported so far, we have informed fish farmers, through the representatives of various fish culture zones and associations, of the latest red tide occurrences and watch out for any adverse impact," the spokesman said.
"As far as those affected fish culture zones are concerned, yellow flags are being hoisted and the operators have been advised to start aeration at night and keep a check on the situation of water and the cultured fish."
The department has stepped up its proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme, covering the assessment of the impact of red tide and the updating of the red tide website. The Red Tide Expert Advisory Group, comprising seven local scholars and scientists with expertise in red tides, were updated and consulted on the situation.
The department has also communicated with the Guangdong Ocean and Fisheries Environment Monitoring Centre regarding the recent red tide occurrences in Hong Kong and its adjacent waters. According to the Guangdong authorities, the algae species causing the red tide in Shenzhen Bay is also the non-toxic Cochlodinium sp.
Ends/Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:05
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