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Red tides have been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (May 11).
Marine Department staff sighted a red tide at South Horizons, Aberdeen, on May 4 and also spotted a red tide at Tsuen Wan Pier to Ting Kau yesterday.
The first red tide dissipated while the latter still persists.
No associated death of fish has been reported in these occurrences so far.
"The red tide at South Horizons, Aberdeen, was formed by Skeletonema costatum while the one at Tsuen Wan Pier to Ting Kau was formed by Thalassiosira proschkinae. 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 Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Po Toi, Ma Wan and Cheung Sha 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, May 11, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:05
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