Red tide sighted
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    A red tide had been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (December 14).

     Staff of the Environmental Protection Department observed a red tide at Tai Tam Bay on December 11. It dissipated today and no fish kill had been reported.

     "The red tide was formed by Mesodinium rubrum, which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. 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 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:00

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