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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 (November 20).
The red tide was spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung, on November 18. The red flag was hoisted at the beach immediately.
The red tide has dissipated and no associated death of fish has been reported.
"The red tide was formed by Trichodesmium erythraeum, 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 Kai Lung Wan, Kau Sai and Ma Nam Wat 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, November 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:02
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