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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 12).
The red tide was spotted by staff of the Marine Department at Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay on June 8.
The red tide still persists. No associated death of fish has been reported.
"Red tide was formed by Pseudo-nitzschia pungens, which is non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Cheung Sha Wan and Po Toi fish culture zones 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 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:03
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