A red tide has been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (July 17).
      
     The red tide was spotted by the public on July 15 at the Yim Tin Tsai fish culture zone. The red tide still persists. No associated death of fish has been reported.
      
     A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Scrippsiella acuminata, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."
      
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat 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, July 17, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:20

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