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A red tide was sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (August 17).
A mariculturist sighted the red tide at Lo Tik Wan fish culture zone on August 11. The red tide dissipated on August 13. No associated death of fish has been reported by mariculturists.
"The red tide was formed by Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima, which is non-toxic and seldom blooms in Hong Kong waters," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Sok Kwu Wan, Lo Tik Wan, Ma Wan, Cheung Sha Wan and Po Toi 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, August 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:01
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