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Red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 29).
Marine Department staff observed a red tide at Stanley Bay yesterday (April 28). The red tide still persists.
Separately, red tides were sighted at Tung Chung Development Pier, Lo So Shing Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, South Bay Beach, Chung Hom Kok Beach, Middle Bay Beach and Pui O Beach between April 22 and 27. All the red tides dissipated on or before today. Red flags were hoisted at the beaches by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department until the red tides dissipated.
No associated death of fish has been reported in the occurrences.
"The red tide at Stanley Bay was formed by Chaetoceros salsugineum while the others were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. Both species are common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, Po Toi, Sok Kwu Wan and Lo Tik Wan 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/Friday, April 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:25
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