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The red tide spread over Hong Kong waters from Ma Wan had fully dissipated, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 15).
The first occurrence reported at Ma Wan by Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department staff on May 31 subsequently spread to some beaches and fish culture zones. Several reports were received from June 9 to June 11 by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at beaches in Shek O, Turtle Cove, Stanley Bay (Tai Tam Bay) and Big Wave Bay. The red tide in those beaches has already dissipated.
Regarding the fish culture zones in Ma Wan, Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Tung Lung Chau, the red tide also dissipated on June 12. No fish kill has been reported from mariculturists.
"The red tide was formed by Cochlodinium sp., which is rare in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Ends/Friday, June 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:30
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