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A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 22).
A mariculturist spotted the red tide at Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone on June 18. It still persists. No associated death of fish has been reported so far.
"The red tide was formed by Neoceratium furca, which is 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 Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai East, Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat 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, June 22, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:01
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