Seven red tides were sighted during the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (December 19).
 
     On December 15, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted six red tides at Butterfly Beach, Cafeteria New Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Golden Beach, Castle Peak Beach and Kadoorie Beach in Tuen Mun, respectively. On December 17, another red tide was spotted at Deep Water Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island.
 
     The red tides at Butterfly Beach, Castle Peak Beach and Deep Water Bay Beach still persist, while the other four red tides have dissipated. No associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, "All seven red tides were formed by Phaeocystis globosa, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters. According to literature overseas, the algal species can produce foam that may affect fish."
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at the Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Po Toi 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 to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

Ends/Friday, December 19, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:30

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