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A red tide had been sighted in Hong Kong waters in the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (June 9).
The red tide observed by staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) yesterday (June 8) at Discovery Bay still persists.
"The red tide was formed by Skeletonema costatum. This is common in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
AFCD has urged mariculturists in the Ma Wan and Cheung Sha Wan 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, June 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:33
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