A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (December 23).
 
     The red tide was spotted by a mariculturist at Yeung Chau to Tai Tau Chau, Sai Kung, including Tai Tau Chau fish culture zone on December 21.
 
     The red tide still persists and no associated death of fish has been reported so far.
 
     "The red tide was formed by Mesodinium rubrum, 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 Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Leung Shuen Wan and Tiu Cham Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
 
     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, December 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:33

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