****************
A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 7).
The red tide was reported by staff of the Marine Police at Cha Kwo Chau on February 3.
The red tide had dissipated on February 5 and no associated death of fish has been reported so far.
"The red tide was mainly formed by Dactyliosolen phuketensis, Eucampia zodiacus and Guinardia delicatula, which are 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 Ma Wan and Cheung Sha Wan 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, February 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:01
NNNN
