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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 (March 23).
Marine Department staff observed the red tide at Sai Kung Hoi on March 19. It dissipated yesterday. No associated death of fish has been reported by mariculturists.
"The red tide was formed by Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima, which has not bloomed in Hong Kong waters before and is non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Kau Sai, Ma Nam Wat, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau and Leung Shuen 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, March 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:01
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