Red tide sighted
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     A red tide was sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 26).
 
     The red tide was spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on April 19 at Silver Mine Bay Beach, Lantau Island.
 
     The red tide has dissipated and no associated death of fish has been reported.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone 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, April 26, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:32

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