*****************
A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (October 22).
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) staff observed the red tide at Starling Inlet on October 18. It still persists and no associated death of fish has been reported so far.
"The red tide was formed by Chaetoceros salsugineum, which is non-toxic and seldom forms red tide in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
The AFCD has urged mariculturists at Sha Tau Kok, Ap Chau, Kat O, O Pui Tong, Sai Lau Kong, Tap Mun, Kau Lau Wan, Sham Wan, Lo Fu Wat, Yung Shue Au, Yim Tin Tsai and Yim Tin Tsai (East) 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 and issuing early warning to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Ends/Friday, October 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:41
NNNN