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Red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (May 6).
Leisure and Cultural Services Department staff observed red tides at Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Lo So Shing Beach, Pui O Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and St Stephen's Beach between April 30 and May 3. Red flags were hoisted at the beaches until the red tides dissipated.
All the red tides dissipated today or before today. No associated death of fish has been reported in the occurrences.
"The red tides at Turtle Cove Beach, Lo So Shing Beach and St Stephen's Beach were formed by Noctiluca scintillans while the occurrences at Clear Water Bay Second Beach and Pui O Beach were formed by Cochlodinium polykrikoides. Both species were spotted at Clear Water Bay First Beach. They are common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Cheung Sha Wan, Po Toi O and Tung Lung Chau 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, May 6, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:30
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