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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (August 26) reminded mariculturists to keep a close watch on their fish culture zones and report any fish kills or irregularities in view of the spate of red tide occurrences over the week in Hong Kong waters.
An AFCD spokesman said the red tides were still hitting the southern and south-western waters of Hong Kong. An inter-departmental red tide working group is closely monitoring the situation.
Laboratory tests found that the red tides were formed by Protopolykrikos distortus, which was rare in local waters. Considering the large coverage of the red tides, a substantial amount of oxygen will be consumed when the red tides die off, which may lead to hypoxia at stagnant locations.
"We have issued hypoxia warnings to the mariculturists at Cheung Sha Wan, Lo Tik Wan, Ma Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Po Toi, Tung Lung Chau and Po Toi O and informed them of the latest red tide occurrences and will watch out for any irregularities," the spokesman said.
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, August 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:30
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