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A red tide was sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (November 28).
The occurrence at Po Toi O Fish Culture Zone was reported by a mariculturist on November 25 and dissipated yesterday. No fish kill has been reported.
¡§The red tide was formed by Mesodinium rubrum which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic,¡¨ a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has urged mariculturists at Tung Lung Chau, Po Toi O and Po Toi 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, November 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:32
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