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A red tide was sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (December 7).
Staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department observed a red tide at Silverstrand Beach on November 30. A red flag was hoisted at the beach until December 3 when the red tide dissipated. No fish kill has been reported.
"The red tide was formed by Trichodesmium erythraeum which is seldom found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Ends/Friday, December 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:00
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