A red tide has been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 23).

     The red tide was spotted by a mariculturist at Shuen Wan Typhoon Shelter on March 20.

     The red tide has dissipated and no associated death of fish has been reported.

     A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at the Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

     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, March 23, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:01

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