Two red tides have been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (May 3).

     Staff of the Marine Department spotted the first red tide at Deep Water Bay on April 27. On April 29, staff of the Environmental Protection Department spotted another red tide at Rocky Bay Beach, Hong Kong Island. Both red tides have dissipated and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

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

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

Ends/Friday, May 3, 2024
Issued at HKT 14:30

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