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A red tide was sighted in Hong Kong waters yesterday, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 28).
Staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department observed a red tide at Clear Water Bay First and Second Beach yesterday. Red flags have been hoisted at the beaches. The red tide subsided afterwards but emerged again this afternoon. No fish kill has been reported.
"The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has urged mariculturists at Po Toi O fish culture zone to monitor the situation closely.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. 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 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:01
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