A red tide was sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (July 12).

     On July 10, staff of the Environmental Protection Department spotted a red tide in Tseung Kwan O. The red tide still persists and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

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

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Po Toi O and Tung Lung Chau 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 to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

Ends/Friday, July 12, 2024
Issued at HKT 16:02

NNNN