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A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (January 30).
The red tide was reported by a staff member of the Environmental Protection Department at the Tuen Mun River Channel today.
The red tide still persists and no associated death of fish has been reported so far.
"The red tide was formed by Heterosigma akashiwo, which is non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Wan fish culture zone 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/Thursday, January 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:13
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